What did you do in the Apiary today?

[beeno]

Such blatant flattery usually has an ulterior motive.
VM


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Now Victor, are you not digging yourself a deeper hole? Firstly, how do you know it was blatant flattery? Secondly, not everyone has an ulterior motive. This was just a girly afternoon something only men in touch with their female side would know anything about. I don't think the wife would approve. I am assuming that you have got one. Let's get back to bee business.

 

[Pete D]

Out at 6 this morning, hardly any wind and no overnight frost, but cold. Stuck my suit on, hive tool in pocket cup of ginger tea in hand and had a wander down the hives. Had a 5 second look under each crown board, lifted the insulation and checked the fondant. Most hives had active bees in the bag (Ambrosia) a few just clustered nearby, these ones I just slid the bag over. Hive 10 was quiet........couldnt see anything, moved the bag and there was a tiny cluster all dead, about the size of a tennis ball. Stripped the hive and put it into the shed, sealed the brood top and bottom with crown boards. Finished the rest and my tea and went to have a look at the dead out. Drone layer / laying worker and just not enough bees to keep it warm through till I could intervene. Back in the house to update records and when I looked 3 weeks back my comment on the record card was, very small possible drone layer........
3 lost now out of 17. 2 drone layers and one very small........prob queenless.
The bees need spring very soon.
Pete D

 

[madasafish]

Not really, your are as old as you feel and I was very young then. My father was in the army so he trained me well. Besides some women recently thought I was 12 years yonger than my chronological age, so I am feeling good. How about you? You seem a bit sad.

Good for you: you sound young.

Sad? Me?

I'm just longing for some sun hence S.A.D.

 

[djg]

Out at 6 this morning, hardly any wind and no overnight frost, but cold. Stuck my suit on, hive tool in pocket cup of ginger tea in hand and had a wander down the hives. Had a 5 second look under each crown board, lifted the insulation and checked the fondant. Most hives had active bees in the bag (Ambrosia) a few just clustered nearby, these ones I just slid the bag over. Hive 10 was quiet........couldnt see anything, moved the bag and there was a tiny cluster all dead, about the size of a tennis ball. Stripped the hive and put it into the shed, sealed the brood top and bottom with crown boards. Finished the rest and my tea and went to have a look at the dead out. Drone layer / laying worker and just not enough bees to keep it warm through till I could intervene. Back in the house to update records and when I looked 3 weeks back my comment on the record card was, very small possible drone layer........
3 lost now out of 17. 2 drone layers and one very small........prob queenless.
The bees need spring very soon.
Pete D

I'm beginning to despair of Spring ever arriving, as for weeks now the 10-day weather forecast has shown the prospect of spring weather forever receding onto the horizon.

We can only hope that the universal angst expressed here for more clement conditions for our bees will prove to be a pivot-point in this year's weather, just like drought warnings and expensive media campaigns on that theme early last year (even the sides of London buses trumpeted this message!) heralded the beginning of a 12-month rainy season.

 

[beeno]

Good for you: you sound young.

Sad? Me?

I'm just longing for some sun hence S.A.D.

Not to worry madasafish. S.A.D. affects young and old alike. You can get a lamp for it.

 

[user 6228]

A guard bee came out in the sun at 8.45, then went back in, and as it was -1C so did I!

 

[madasafish]

Not to worry madasafish. S.A.D. affects young and old alike. You can get a lamp for it.

I get gin for it .. and vodka.


hic...

 

[beeno]

Hi all,
Walked around and put my ear to the hives. All still alive. One had a few bees out probably cleansing. The sun is out but freezing only +4C. One had obviously cracked open some stores as I could smell the honey through the OMF. I will really enjoy spring this year when it comes. Hope it will not be too late for the bees though.

 

[user 6228]

that guard bee did it again... that means they know I'm coming from more than 10m away

 

[Chris Luck]

that guard bee did it again... that means they know I'm coming from more than 10m away

Perfume?

Chris

 

[cork beek]

Put on some fondant, they looked lively (i love my glass crownboard! ) even thou it was about 4 degrees outside the hive

 

[user 6228]

Perfume?

Chris

the hives are across the wind not down wind

 

[whoosling]

Just had a wander up to the hive to make sure no badger damage, it's snowing harder again but hoping it won't pitch down here in (earlier in the day at least) sunny Somerset. Bloody cold though.

 

[JohnyP]

Ah, "pitching". Definitely Zumerzet

 

[poshpikey]

A few flakes here in west dorset at the moment but nothing settling

 

[whoosling]

Ah, "pitching". Definitely Zumerzet

definately don't settle in my garden always pitches

 

[WelshPaul]

Again, just put more snow boards on. So sick of this weather, hopefully it won't settle. (Fingers crossed)

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Again, just put more snow boards on.

Snow boards! - my bees won't even go out in this weather - let alone partake in winter sports!

 

[Bob Bee]

Collected 2 more colonies and a load of kit from yet another new beekeeper who has decide not to do another year, he did the course bought the kit and in three years collected 30lb of honey. He was just happy to see it go to a good home....... Nice dark bees too

 

[WelshPaul]

Snow boards! - my bees won't even go out in this weather - let alone partake in winter sports!

Lol