What did you do in the Apiary today?

[Spikedog]

Somewhat damp but balmy 10 C here - Bees out and about but with determination not loitering about the hive. The smaller colony is bringing in pollen (dark orange) but only marginal numbers. I suspect some water gathering as fondent fed last weekend. As a novice even by nubee standards, delighted to see them but not counting "chickens" as yet - still some time to go. Thankfully we missed the snow this year.

 

[drstitson]

picked up a couple of boxes of fondant at local BAKO.

not surprisingly they've had a lot of beek business recently!

 

[iand]

Picked up some of the "offer" sugar from Bookers to-day

 

[user 6228]

time: 7.30am outside: -10C yesterday: sun and clouds
Alwaysfoam: floor 15C top 25C

WasWood: top of brood bottomof super: 18c

 

[drstitson]

Beautiful Hoarfrost in South Lincs today. No activity from hives. will heft later and add decent blocks of fondant (4kg) in ekes to any that might need it.

"Out" apiary will just have to survive on it's own for now - OH struggling to cope with the demands of the more "dependent" livestock in 6' deep snow (she's 5'5" BTW). Can't justify her tunneling another 75m across an extremely steep hillside just to get to them!

 

[madasafish]

Wonderful views in Staffs Moorlands. Walls, fences and trees are covered with a clear layer of ice: frozen rain.(Pavements on Friday am were like ice rinks.. and I did what I have never done in 30 years of running: chickened out and did not run. I walked 1/4 mile to nearest newsagent - slid 4 times on the pavements ).

Helped Local Association feed fondant to those hives requiring it. Stones on roofs were frozen on with frozen rain... Few bees flying in sun - my car said -1C at the time.. Unsurprisingly 1 metre was as far as any bee went..

At home, removed all bottom boards and cleaned then of wax cappings and replaced them (so I could see how hives are doing without opening them up). Most boards were frozen in place: one in particular was solid and after 3 minutes gently tapping from either side I freed it. Bees inside not amused: a faint roar could be heard.

 

[Cazza]

Perfect weather today (-12 at 8.00a.m to +3 at 2 p.m.) to attack the bramble hedge behind my apiary. With lots of layers on, it was quite pleasant work and of course, no bees to get in the way.
Cazza

 

[thurrock bees]

Moved 12 hives to OSR fields while the cold weather is here, noticed a couple of them were light to checked the foundant on all moved hives and they have plenty. Spoke to another farmer nearby and got permission to put the bees on his fieldbean ( 15 acres) and he offered his OSR for the bees to pollante ( over 150 acres) to

 

[Rosti]

Still a few ins of snow and <0'C. Confirmed all is well from fresh capping on top of snow. Interested to see the route taken by deer. Disappointed that one stopped to p1ss on my middle hive stand and another nibbled a 2nd stand could be worse - no sign of woodpeckers!

 

[TBRNoTB]

picked up a couple of boxes of fondant at local BAKO.

not surprisingly they've had a lot of beek business recently!

Doc, how did you manage that? When I enquired at the depot they were only interested in 'by the pallet load' Must be a glib tongue! Or maybe the acquired Italian accent! Or maybe an offer they couldn't refuse!

 

[user 6228]

time: 8.30am outside: -2C yesterday: sun
Alwaysfoam: floor 15C top 18C

WasWood: top of brood bottomof super: 16c

__________________
In the experimental situation, The animal does what it D£$%^ well likes!
Last edited by derekm; Yesterday at 08:24 AM.

 

[drstitson]

"Doc, how did you manage that? When I enquired at the depot they were only interested in 'by the pallet load' Must be a glib tongue! Or maybe the acquired Italian accent! Or maybe an offer they couldn't refuse!"

No. Having heard the stories on here about the recent refusals i took a chance on way home as i had a little time on my hands, the prospect of a weekend twiddling thumbs etc etc (OH on other hand has been struggling in 6' deep snow).

SE Depot (Morden) counter staff were fine - no queries. presume problems arise when ringing the back office to order a delivery. classic "computer says no" situation. seeing who else was at the counter it seemed that they are used to significant amounts of business being small value orders, paid by cash, from local shop owners just turning up.

agree that the Italian face to face business approach has rubbed off slightly though.

BTW pricing was £15.34 a box.

 

[Poly Hive]

Bako are very keen to rid themselves of small delivered orders. I had a very informative convo with the Bako rep for my area and she was adamant they were not taking on more customers of my level.. ie 12 boxes... but obviously if you are on the doorstep then it's another matter altogether.

PH

 

[Silly Bee]

Paid a quick vist and swept a few dead bees off the landing board. (about a dozen)

Did the same a few days ago.

I'm hoping this is just the live ones cleaning up.

 

[scuttlefish]

Fed fondant on one hive. The ladies were getting out and about, I saw one arrive back at the hive, two others leave and two or three more poke their heads out for a look before going back in, in the space of less than a minute that I was at the hive.

Weather 10 degrees & overcast.

 

[drstitson]

Put fondant on the hives - 1/3 block each: each piece spatchcocked, rolled out and installed in an apiguard eke.

quick and easy - except for the one hive without a transparent CB - result: first sting of the year.

 

[Ely]

Had a feeling the bees might be out and about so had a look, got a few coming and going. Is it possible for bees to be doing orientation flights at this time of year?

 

[scuttlefish]

Had a feeling the bees might be out and about so had a look, got a few coming and going. Is it possible for bees to be doing orientation flights at this time of year?

I assumed they were doing 'loo runs after being stuck inside by the cold & rain...

 

[Ely]

Yip, thats what I thought, they were clearing dead too. I was just wondering if brood would be old enough for orientaation flights at this time of year. Brob not as its been too cold for brood

 

[drstitson]

Do i need to worry about boards across entrances?

Not even thinking about what's happening to the other hives.

Just grabbed this picture from the OH on skype. FYI the shovel handle is vertical and the dog is a 1 year old springer.