What did you do in the Apiary today?

[REDWOOD]

All 3 hives ok 2 hives bringing in some gorse pollen (dark bees), and the other hive still tucked up in bed (light bees) and added more fondant, happy days to come.

 

[dpearce4]

went to out apiary today to check on fondant and check still alive. got to where i park and was met by a greeting party as i got out the car a good 100m from the site though oh no must be a problem, had to stay in car while putting suit on as each time i got out got pinged. managed to get suit on and go to the site. all seven hives alive 1 looking like it may not make it tho, all eating a little of their stores. other beek who has 2 hives there one of hers was flying and they were the ones that were being very fiesty. not sure what has spooked them but as not mine didnt check just steered clear as far as i could.


i think i will take my home hives up and add some drone comb so as to flood the apiary with some nicer drones as they are very docile. try and improve the next generation bees. not worried about buying in queens to do this.

 

[borderer]

Went to apiary to plant some more fruit trees, did not expect to see any activity as the car temp gauge showed 4C. Therefore a little bit surprised to see all five hives flying and taking in pollen.

Tried to check temp using a household thermometer, which also showed 4C, quite impressed

 

[Otleybee]

Received my first sting of 2012. I just went up to see if there was any activity as it was a beautiful sunny day. All three colonies had bees out flying. On flew straight into my face and stung me. I can still see through my right eye but the swelling is quite impressive!

 

[user 6228]

Sunday time: 1pm
Alwaysfoam: bees not eating fondant. Estimated consumption of sugar since summer 2011 ~0.5kg
WasWood: bees eating fondant bees not eating fondant. estimated consumption of sugar since summer 2011 ~1 kg

Monday time: 7am outside: -4 yesterday:sun
Alwaysfoam: floor 16C top 22C
WasWood: top of brood bottomof super: 18c

 

[hallshoney]

put more fondant on hefted all hives some getting light now going to have to keep an eye on at least nine hives until spring

 

[Chrisfnvs]

Loads of pollen going in now plus the water carriers were out in force taking water from everywhere except from the nice shallow tray i put out for them ! still making up frames from the sales and had a play with some new toys in the extracting room today, melting some solid honey in the new warming cabinet and assembling and testing the new Lxgx 9 frame extractor both working very well Chris

 

[Ed Woods]

All four hives alive and well.

Varoa drop just 1 or 2 per hive.

My weakest hive has eaten all their fondant - the others have barely nibbled at it.

Noticed hundreds of dead bees on the ice near the hives

They had been using it as a water source but it froze solid last night.

 

[Silly Bee]

Received my first sting of 2012. I just went up to see if there was any activity as it was a beautiful sunny day. All three colonies had bees out flying. On flew straight into my face and stung me. I can still see through my right eye but the swelling is quite impressive!

Lost a bee already, tut tut.

 

[Poggle]

Went and had a good close look (not opened) at the hives about 08.30. The hive that was "attacked" has cleared out its dead and was quite active with a goodly amount of bees flying around and another goodly amount bringing back dark yellow/orange pollen, some were bringing back a very white pollen. The other hive wasn't doing anything, no bees coming or going but had a fair amount of dead on the floor so, I took the entrance reducer away, gave the brood box a little thump, there was a ROAR from inside that lasted maybe 2 seconds then all was quiet BUT, a line of about 30 wee bees appeared at the entrance, looked curiously up at me, looked at each other then went and started draging dead bees out, all this was over a good ten minutes by the way, not right away. I said hello to them as they worked then left them all in peace.

 

[Snail368]

Bees from both hives flying well. Pollen (orange/yellow and light yellow) being bought in, presumably Snowdrop and hazel pollen.

 

[Luminos]

Saw a wasp grazing on the barn door

 

[drstitson]

Spent yesterday performing repeated 2km round trips up and down the drive in the disco to ensure a free path for access without resorting to yet another ploughing. Hives now back under a couple of feet of snow after 36hrs snow. No peeking for me until the weekend at least when due 15C+.

 

[user 6228]

Spent yesterday performing repeated 2km round trips up and down the drive in the disco to ensure a free path for access without resorting to yet another ploughing. Hives now back under a couple of feet of snow after 36hrs snow. No peeking for me until the weekend at least when due 15C+.

why dont you get a snow plough attachment for the disco...
(serious they do exist)

 

[susbees]

why dont you get a snow plough attachment for the disco...
(serious they do exist)

Or a signature explaining to the bewildered how far away your out apiary is....or even an in/out so we know where you are!

 

[Monsieur Abeille]

why dont you get a snow plough attachment for the disco...
(serious they do exist)

or a couple of fins on the Smart?

 

[drstitson]

had only seen ploughs for defenders.

sorry sus - only OH gets to know whether in or out and even then it's never entirely certain!

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

why dont you get a snow plough attachment for the disco...

or just invert the Smart and use as a toboggan (wee - been waiting ages to get that one in: end of a hard patrol and going home tomorrow! )

had only seen ploughs for defenders.

only OH gets to know whether in or out and even then it's never entirely certain!

Matron! (see above comment)

 

[plunderer]

Had a look at hives yesterday all looked and felt ok appart from one which seemed a bit light..will keep an eye on..

 

[user 6228]

Monday time: 7am outside: +6 yesterday:sun
Alwaysfoam: floor 18C top 27C
WasWood: top of brood bottomof super: 18c
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