What did you do in the Apiary today?

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Froze hard with us last night, still relatively cold but bright sunlight on the hives has had the bees out in force the nuc (which always keeps me wondering as there's hardly any activity compared to the others) had bees piling out and enjoying the sun.
Topped up fondant on one hive and moved it halfway to its new position on nice new shiny stand - no point in risking moving it all the way as it's not doing any harm at halfway stage and there's a 90 degree turn to the new stand.

 

[Monsieur Abeille]

3,000 replies to this thread now (actually 3,001)

 

[Poggle]

Not a sign of a bee today. Temperature did not go about 4c down there. I got lots n lots of work done though so that is a bonus

 

[Erichalfbee]

Bright sunshine again and 4˚.
Mine have found their way round the boards I put up in front of the entrances but today they seem to be doing a few laps round the hive then straight home without falling in the snow.

 

[victor meldrew]

3,000 replies to this thread now (actually 3,001)

Your catching up
VM

 

[iand]

I've been asked for Langstroth plastic drone foundation, does anyone out there know who supplies it in the country?

I think Dadant may do, check their website. If its what you want its @ approx 1$/sheet, I've seen dadant plastic foundation at a firm in Lincolnshire I wonder if they may help.

Ian

 

[user 6228]

Time: 7 am: outside -2C, yesterday: sunny
Alwaysfoam:16C floor, 22C top
Waswood: 16C top of brood/ bottom of super

 

[bob777]

Just been down very cold didnt see any bees at all but nice to see some life today was getting worried till today,, Thank goodness their alive,,

 

[BBG]

Everybody checked and only one bee seen arriving from mid-field and went straight in. Bright sunshine - all sound good - no tapping any more after Polyhive's advice.

Think it is worthy of note to tell a tale here:

Last place is farm we were invited to place hives on 6 weeks ago - have two nucs there at present.

On first arriving, a person staying on farm approached, as some do when beekeepers arrive. OH introduced herself - he ignored the niceties, did not tell his name. Then proceeded into, "I'd like to help and for you to show me how to keep bees, missed the course last year. By the way, do you make much money from bees". Almost in the same breath - cards marked as they say.

OH took gear next day and he's out like a longdog - she refuses help - genuinely not needed but definitely not after preceding - he takes attitude - ignores us on subsequent visits - excellent - peace. OK there's the picture.

Today, went and checked - we have to walk through yard with wintering cattle and cow shhh up to the top of boots is order of day - go to old milking parlour where we have been told to help ourselves to wash off (we ALWAYS do this between farms anyway - Foot & Mouth is on everybody's mind).

The nub:

In the parlour - hose is connected and spraying everywhere from loose connection and other end is stuck in this man's water tank on camper 20 yards away - look around - see no-one so disconnect and wash boots with intention of reconnecting.

Great banging on inside of camper - window opens - complaints about - nobody should do that when tank being filled - I'm full of sympathy and say we'll reconnect one minute.

Reconnect - ask all well - no answer even though he has back to us and is looking at something educational on his laptop (always is when we go there) - bang on side - great bluster from inside - out he comes like a poisonous midget of 6' and 18 stone protesting how disgusting it is to stop the water when somebody's using it and then banging on side of his vehicle.

We were a little perplexed by this display of bad manners.

Anyway, all's well and all that, OH pulled on my lead then at home rang the really nice chap who owns the farm and he's going to have a word with the, gentleman

We've picked up on some really bad attitude from employees or other who apparently think they may have some authority.when arriving at places after being given permission by landowners/farmers or being asked to bring bees there.

Sorry to be so long but that's our today in the apiary.

 

[Suzi Q]

Hmmmm...BBG are you not a little worried about what that unsavoury chap may get up to while you're not around?

 

[rink123]

I have not seen any of my bees now for a week hope they are ok ,

 

[BBG]

Susi Q "Hmmmm...BBG are you not a little worried about what that unsavoury chap may get up to while you're not around"

That has crossed our minds, people can be unbelievably spiteful.

Only time will tell. The man who owns the farm, a doctor, is a really nice person too.

We also upset another living there when we asked him to control his dog after it jumped up on both of us and left muck on our trousers.

He thought we should just put up with it and now he and his wife blank us.

His behaviour was pathetic to witness but it makes me wary about going there alone.

Life's fine; people can be v odd!

 

[Dishmop]

I revived 6 bees that had vetured out and landed in the snow. My good deed for the day.

Can I have a woggle now?

or did they ban woggles when the girls joined the scouts.

 

[drstitson]

you're still allowed woggles AFAIK but must keep them tucked in and only play with them in privacy of your tent.

 

[user 6228]

Time: 7 am: outside -2C, yesterday: cloudy
Alwaysfoam:13C floor, 20C top
Waswood: 13C top of brood/ bottom of super

 

[oldsalthouse]

All hives very busy with lots of pollen, fist time they have been out for about a week.

 

[Dusty Rhodes]

I revived 6 bees that had vetured out and landed in the snow. My good deed for the day.

Can I have a woggle now?

or did they ban woggles when the girls joined the scouts.

The woggles were allowed; only the wiggles were banned.

D

 

[BBG]

I revived 6 bees that had vetured out and landed in the snow. My good deed for the day.

Can I have a woggle now?

or did they ban woggles when the girls joined the scouts.

They were trying to ban 'Ging Gang Goolie' for obvious reasons - didn't like the girls giggling.

Baden Powell would roll over in his grave at his 'World song' being so corrupted!

 

[user 6228]

Time: 7:30 am: outside -2C, yesterday: cloudy snow overnight
Alwaysfoam:16C floor, 22C top
Waswood: 12C top of brood/ bottom of super

 

[Heather]

Pinned little sunshades (Strips of thick dark plastic) over entrance to keep sun from gleaming off snow into the hive as a couple were venturing out and it is only 2degrees in Sussex after fresh snow