What did you do in the Apiary today?

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Quick first new year hefting patrol around this valley's apiaries (in actual fact - first check since finishing feeding last November)most with plenty of stores, one or two getting lighter (but not worryingly) all the nucs very active as were the furthest hives when I popped on the 'just in case' fondant to save me checking again for quite a while.
The Gwyddfan valley hives left to check tomorrow now.

 

[Millet]

I hefted mine also and all three felt equal and fairly heavy, no flying today in this cold wet weather.

 

[wightbees]

Been mild here today but wet, to. Tomorrow the temp drops to zero but its the only day I have to check the remaining nine hives. Hopefully they OK otherwise I'll add sugar.

 

[philipm]

Went up to the hives to put some sugar blocks on.Also had a chance to have a clear up and wheelborrow some stuff back to the shed.

 

[Swarm]

Replaced the hive stands.

 

[colinc]

5 deg C. Sunny. All hives out on cleansing flights I guess. Nice to see the girls.


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[Goran]

Wet, wet, wet snow. A day at snow in hills, refreshing..

 

[Beefriendly]

Nice one Goran. Glad you have the snow and not us at the moment, although that may change this week.

Checked hives for fondant use, most are munching into it, one or two will need another 2.5kgs this week or next.

 

[Wingy]

All quiet this morning, a good frost overnight and although the sun was out it still felt cold 4-5 degrees C, so took the opportunity to move the hive 3' to the right. First of 3 planned moves to get it where I want. Well 1/2 hour later about 10 bees flying around where home used to be. Sure I heard one say WTF. Thought I'd messed up but after about 10 minutes of watching them flying off, turning and reapproaching they realised where home was and made it back safely.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Gwyddfan valley hives checked, a few hives tucking into the fondant,just one or two bees venturing out into the cold.
The hives above the range have had fondant on since Christmas time, just in case bad weather prevents me from visiting, but just to disprove the myth that 'bees only take fondant if they need it' one hive, when hefted felt screwed down to the stand, but the fondant tub had been cleared.

 

[JWF]

Hefted the hives, replaced fondant on one, added fondant to another which is feeling a bit light.

Vaped one hive which showed a reasonably high drop, hopefully for the last time.

 

[wightbees]

Checked site today, loads of sugar left from the last visit over month ago. Will not need checking now until March, hoping for a nice early spring.

 

[drex]

Hope so. All mine went into winter on double brood stuffed to the gunwales. Two weeks ago all hefted and a bit light but still very much OK. Today all except one felt dangerously light. Off to the bakers in the morning for fondant. Ekes all at the ready. All so light I dare not wait until it warms up, but should take less than a minute to do the necessary on each hive.
My bees are mongrels, and usually manage stores well, but must be doing some serious brooding, but they did go into winter with lots of bees.

 

[SDM]

Checked my nucs today and found the ones given fondant to be filling the ekes with comb.
They'll be getting extra nuc brood bodies asap.

 

[colinc]

4 deg C bees flying in the sunshine collecting water it seems


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[enrico]

Hefted, all had some weight and one day of varroa floor shows cappings so determined not to feed, just in case, fine line of going hungry and having sugar in honey. Very cold but bees flying in all hives. Snowdrops and crocus open in numbers. Love this sunny south.

 

[drex]

No sign of my bees for days. Not worried. Snow this morning. They all are suddenly hefting a bit light, so this afternoon packed fondant into ice cream tubs, which I am keeping in the warmth of the house. Decided that they can wait for extra stores until the weather warms up a bit

 

[Curly green fingers]

checked the hive today about 4ish as I put 3kg of fondant on the hive two weeks ago to the day. They've only consumed about 300g's. by my hive weights, they have 2 to 3 frames of stores so perhaps there enjoying them as well.Cold last night -7 brr... 3+ today. No bees flying up here on the clee for 2 weeks then before that 4 an a half weeks.
this is differently a good winter.

 

[Brian Bush]

Added more fondant to the hives in 2 apiaries. Some colonies had consumed a lot. Lifted the lid on one hive to be greeted by 2 mice.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Lifted the lid on one hive to be greeted by 2 mice.

I have a couple of queen wasps hibernating under one lid and a large spider under another. He had spun a web just inside and had caught a few bees!