What did you do in the Apiary today?

[Chris Luck]

Here is considered if You put a swarm with virgin queens in the hive with unsealed brood that You signed a death sentence to these queens ( as the bees assume they have mated one and get rid of these virgins fast..). So in that case the swarm can become queen-less..
Although I don't say that Your swarm has a virgin queen..

I can't see why that would happen as there is no Queen scent other than the scent of the Queen that is with the swarm. It would be rather strange for the Queens own bees to turn on her.

Chris

 

[pargyle]

Nothing ... temperature dropped to only 8 degrees tonight and raining ... can't believe the effect a pathetic little cold front can have on the weather ! A few girls were still flying - leaving the hive even in the rain - I think they must be hardy Northern stock migrated down here. Better weather at the end of the week though ....

 

[Graham40]

That's really interesting.
I have read many posts here advocating a frame of brood to anchor a swarm.

Id still put a frame in to anchor a swarm, if they kill off the Virgin queens to bad they'll just have to draw out a replacement. The main thing is to keep the swarm, the workforce is more important queens can be replaced at this time of year a huge workforce takes months to rebuild.

 

[madasafish]

That's really interesting.
I have read many posts here advocating a frame of brood to anchor a swarm.

We did a shook swarm at Association apiary and gave one frame of brood to anchor the hive. They swarmed the next day... (and we rehoused the swarm)

 

[sunhivebee]

It's looking good with my great swarm. End of second day now, fairly cold today, but good pollen foraging. One more day, and I think they'll stay put.

Heard some queens piping, and expect more swarming on Sunday.

 

[Goran]

I can't see why that would happen as there is no Queen scent other than the scent of the Queen that is with the swarm. It would be rather strange for the Queens own bees to turn on her.

Chris

I think it also beside mentioned brood scent. I would have to dig for some wider explanation if You want..

 

[BeeJayBee]

Did nothing! Started tidying up some long grass yesterday and got stung on the thumb knuckle by an enthusiastic guard bee, which won't do it again. Hand and arm swollen as far as the elbow! It's annoying, sore and uncomfortable.

 

[Walrus]

Put this seasons first batch of honey into jars. 27 lbs only (one super), but it is light & floral & delicious. I expected it to be OSR but it was all capped & still nice and runny, so maybe its clover. There was one small field of OSR nearby so there must be some of that in the mix.

Field beans next

 

[user 6228]

Nothing ... temperature dropped to only 8 degrees tonight and raining ... can't believe the effect a pathetic little cold front can have on the weather ! A few girls were still flying - leaving the hive even in the rain - I think they must be hardy Northern stock migrated down here. Better weather at the end of the week though ....

They were still working the parsnips in force here... But then they do have 5* accommodation to retire to after the working day

 

[Chris Luck]

I think it also beside mentioned brood scent. I would have to dig for some wider explanation if You want..

Have to say I've never tried it to hold a swarm, I always use some old broodless comb / stores if possible.

Here the first type of Lime has finished flowering and the Sweet chestnut and brambles are getting into flow. Overpowering scent of chestnut honey coming form the hives. Also the first few sunflowers have started to show their faces.

Chris

 

[meidel]

bees zipping in and out at full throttle - saw a few in a red poppy, the bramble in the woods are beginning to open and a few lime trees too. the pink geraniums have seen a fair number of visitors and even the elderflower had a few bees on them - a first ever. Many of them have found the odd broccoli left to flower by a few allotmenteers. Some bees also in the pumpkin and courgette flowers. Lots of white clover in my lawn, patches of grass in the woods, parks and paths but I've yet to come across any bees on these.

 

[Erichalfbee]

On my way to Apiary
Spotted a fallen Red Kite chick (we have a nest in the garden) and I've been on phone looking for help.
Heaven knows when the bees will get looked at now!

 

[TryingToLetThemBee]

On my way to Apiary
Spotted a fallen Red Kite chick (we have a nest in the garden) and I've been on phone looking for help.
Heaven knows when the bees will get looked at now!

NO MILK! And is it "fallen" (trouble) or fledging (natural)? (Not that I could tell). Its chances of survival are probably highest if you do nothing, I'm afraid, and that is guaranteed true if it is fledging.

 

[Erichalfbee]

It's 45 days old so too young to fledge. I've been advised to put it somewhere "in the open but off the ground"....an impossibility here so with some further advice we have put it in an open box on the shed roof. I have thrown some food out for parents.
There is another youngster in the nest so if the parents don't come down to feed it we will and there is somebody coming on Saturday morning to climb the pine and return it to nest.

 

[Chris Luck]

Raw minced beef offered, not forced, with blunt tweezers after dipping in water.

Don't try to make it drink it gets enough from the food dipped in water.

I know I'm in France and there will be people nearer but if you send me your number I will call you if you like.

Chris

 

[Erichalfbee]

Chris, how kind of you.
There is another chick in the nest so the advice now is to not risk him out in the open but to bring him in, feed him and wait till Saturday morning when we have Spiderman coming to climb the tree.
The bird is taking raw meat and calling to its parents.

 

[Ely]

Are you sure it wasn't kicked out of the nest by a sibling competing for food? Falconry could be your new hobby!

 

[Swarm]

Took a frame of honey out to my Ceredigion girl and her nuc. They seem to be coming along nicely.
Bit of a gathering going on at the poly hive entrance, tons of bees in there.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Are you sure it wasn't kicked out of the nest by a sibling competing for food? Falconry could be your new hobby!

I could live on road kill

 

[Langstroth]

Ericalfbee,

You need to get that chic back in the nest or to a raptor rehab centre with experienced staff asap. If you hand feed it you will start to imprint it, also if you wait untill saturday the parents are unlikely to accept it. Dehydration is also a vey real danger for a young bird of prey. Please contact somewhere like the welsh hawking centre and see if they can help you. It is also illegal to have a native bird of prey in your possesion without it being closed rung and having a CITIES article 10 certificate.