What did you do in the Apiary today?

[Goran]

I haven't been with bees for a while. They will cope with/or without me the same. The weather is more like spring than winter. Day temps about 15-20C. Not good for fruit trees - they will start opening buds and frosts will scorch them.. Some friend beeks say the bees are gathering pollen at large, if so new season started already, even too soon but can't change it.
I am rushing to finish the hazelnuts, but it is pain in the ass.. real pain in the ass.. Then again composting, fondants, fence, and myriads of the other endless jobs to do.. But at the moment after some alcochol venting: Happy New Year to all!!!

 

[pargyle]

I haven't been with bees for a while. They will cope with/or without me the same. The weather is more like spring than winter. Day temps about 15-20C. Not good for fruit trees - they will start opening buds and frosts will scorch them.. Some friend beeks say the bees are gathering pollen at large, if so new season started already, even too soon but can't change it.
I am rushing to finish the hazelnuts, but it is pain in the ass.. real pain in the ass.. Then again composting, fondants, fence, and myriads of the other endless jobs to do.. But at the moment after some alcochol venting: Happy New Year to all!!!

Happy new year Goran, hope 2023 is better for you than 2022 ...

 

[Goran]

Happy new year Goran, hope 2023 is better for you than 2022 ...

Wish You the same, a way better than 2022.
Wish a lot, lot of soul food, the material things are worthless at the end.. Memories and what talk You left after You leave this life matter the a way more.. and in my opinion worth incomparable more..

 

[Erichalfbee]

Happy New Year Goran...I hope it's better for all of us. No alcohol venting for me. Can't hack it any more. In bed by 10pm strangely dreaming of the future.

 

[Swarm]

Went to have a look at the bees, my wife came along for the ride to keep an eye and make sure I didn't go hefting any.
Nice to be met with a little cloud of returning bees at the first hive, a three year old queen I have a real soft spot for. A glance along the stands and there were bees flying from every hive. As the eyes were on me, I resisted the temptation to heft and just had a look below the hives instead, I'm not that concerned about their stores yet.

 

[E&MBees]

Headed over to one apiary and continued clearing brambles from an old apple near to one of the hives. Bees flying but only half heartedly as it was damp and windy. Husband received first sting of 2023, oops . They ignored me standing by their entrance .

 

[JamezF]

Husband received first sting of 2023, oops . They ignored me standing by their entrance .

Start as you mean to go on, that's what I say

James

 

[jeff33]

Went to check 2 apiaries, most hives are still doing well for store but a few nucs were light and got topped up with fondant. Planning to treat all hives next week.

Boiled a few dozen old frames to rejuvenate and sanitise and got last season wax ready for melting tomorrow. I reckon I have 5-6kg which will be swapped for foundation at a show.

Took the GSD with me and she was more than happy to play with the bacon ... I mean the pigs while I was doing the hives

 

[JamezF]

Took the GSD with me and she was more than happy to play with the bacon ... I mean the pigs while I was doing the hives

Gloucester Old Spots? Don't recognise the black one though. Berkshire Black, maybe? I really enjoyed keeping pigs, but now my son is away at uni for more than half the year and we're becoming more vegetarian it doesn't really make sense to have them again. Especially since the pig run has become my new apiary.

James

 

[jeff33]

Gloucester Old Spots? Don't recognise the black one though. Berkshire Black, maybe? I really enjoyed keeping pigs, but now my son is away at uni for more than half the year and we're becoming more vegetarian it doesn't really make sense to have them again. Especially since the pig run has become my new apiary.

James

They are my friend's, not sure what they're other than being a cross with some boar in it. I couldn't bring myself to slaughter the poor souls so best not me keeping any stock!!

 

[JamezF]

They are my friend's, not sure what they're other than being a cross with some boar in it. I couldn't bring myself to slaughter the poor souls so best not me keeping any stock!!

Well, you don't have to do it yourself I took ours to the local abbatoir who delivered to our local butcher who would then provide me with a load of boxes of nicely-packaged pork

James

 

[blackcloud]

Just had a pre-order for next year.
Ten jars, which will be going to Slovakia.
providing Putin doesnt get there first.

 

[elainemary]

Weighed colonies for first time since shut them up in Autumn. Lightest had c 8kg stores (a nuc) and heaviest 22kg stores (on double brood). Can relax til end Jan when will weigh again. Have set minimum weight targets for each colony depending on winter set up, with the aim of adding fondant if nucs get down to 4kg stores, bit more for larger ones.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Went to check 2 apiaries, most hives are still doing well for store but a few nucs were light and got topped up with fondant. Planning to treat all hives next week.

Boiled a few dozen old frames to rejuvenate and sanitise and got last season wax ready for melting tomorrow. I reckon I have 5-6kg which will be swapped for foundation at a show.

Took the GSD with me and she was more than happy to play with the bacon ... I mean the pigs while I was doing the hives
View attachment 34808

they look about ready for the knife

 

[The Poot]

Just watched the bees getting water. First day of freedom for them - the rain has finally stopped for a day.
Sucking water from rain soaked moss, warmed in the sun on my lean- to greenhouse roof.

 

[madasafish]

Moved two nucs and a full hive within the garden: sunny but 5C so no bees flying.
No stings.

 

[Moobee]

Checked the fondant levels on the three home hives and mite drops. Bees started flying as the sun hit the entrances.
All good, plenty of fondant and bees bimbling around on the top of the frames. Love my polycarbonate crown boards!

Mite drop a bit concerning on one hive : 84 today (3 weeks since I last looked). They were vaped in December and had three consecutive drops in their hundreds so was hoping it might have been less. The other two hives are in single digits which I’m very happy with.
All showing signs of brood uncapping so even though this is the case, should I give this hive another blast of OA or they could be in serious trouble in a few months time?

 

[SWHives]

Vaped all 3 hives and melted wax. There was quite substantial mite drop, so will vape again in a few days.

 

[Nannysbees]

Vaped all 3 hives and melted wax. There was quite substantial mite drop, so will vape again in a few days.

What part is south Wales are you living?

 

[Nannysbees]

Checked the fondant on the four hives, all four have started to be consumed. Daisy particularly busy outside the hive the others just the odd bee out and about. Thinking of vaping soon