What did you do in the Apiary today?

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Hefted hive, and recorded a weight of 35kg, (4kg consumed in 10 days!).

Very busy day for the girls, the most active I've seen them all year (2014), and since September/October 2013.
]

May be one reason for the 4kg weight loss - all the bees are out and about!

 

[Goran]

18C, sunny, windy.. Bees out gathering pollen, water, nectar also I believe. In front of hives like in April - crowded. I didn't want to spoil them a nice day with opening and annoying them. It is nice to hear in trees lot of bees and watch them working..
So far we had no some real or long " winter proper" weather. But there is time for it. Overall if this "spring" continues, swarms can occur in March.

 

[Jimmys Mum]

Sat for a while on my deckchair in the apiary (grinning like a crazy lady) in my pristine white smock watching the busy comings and goings of 5/6 hives. Came back indoors half an hour later to find my smock was not quite so pristine but had developed a mustard brown coloured spotty pattern in places

Thanks ladies!

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Showed Redwood around the hives as he's kindly offered to keep an eye on them whilst I'm in Africa.Two of my sheds now have new names - the top one is called Thornes and the one behind the washhouse Maisemore!!!! (no idea why he chose those names though ) A few bees out and about in the morning sunshine, but half an hour after he'd gone they were all out in force - you could hear them from the back door!

 

[Erichalfbee]

How many sleeps, now?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Five more sleeps

 

[drstitson]

"POLLEN!!!!! I'm so HAPPY! :- )"

who needs pollen? third day in a row.

 

[lebouche]

Saw the bees, bright orange pollen. Lots of snowdrops in out garden and the buzz around the snowdrops was almost as loud as the hives.
I finished spraying my three new polyhives. Also put in CCTV cameras (including one on the hives) and fed, groomed and put coats back on the horses. Fixed fencing, a gate and several doors and locks.

Edit - Oh and got stung through my clothes, just for getting too close to the hives.

 

[TryingToLetThemBee]

"POLLEN!!!!! I'm so HAPPY! :- )"

who needs pollen? third day in a row.

A patent patty may go on in a week or so...

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

A patent patty may go on in a week or so...

It's still only February - there may be cold weather on the way and you don't want them stepping up a gear too early

 

[yellowrage 53]

morning every one i am away on friday for a week of sun !!! is there enything i need to do befor i go ?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

morning every one i am away on friday for a week of sun !!! is there enything i need to do befor i go ?

Turn the gas off, unplug all appliances (apart from freezer) cancel the milk and papers make sure all doors and windows secured.........................

 

[VEG]

Check passport !

 

[REDWOOD]

And the Diawl Bachs

 

[Pete D]

Same as you have been doing all winter, heft and feed if required, ensure entrance is clear, make sure hive is secure from winds and floods and enjoy the break.
For peace of mind I let my neighbour in on my travel plans and he looks out of the window most days to make sure the hives are ok, I leave him the contact number of a beekeeping friend or brother in case he is concerned about anything.

Pack suncream, diacalm and knotted hanky.

 

[Davelin]

Turn the gas off, unplug all appliances (apart from freezer) cancel the milk and papers make sure all doors and windows secured.........................

Cancel the milk!!! You mean you still have deliveries....

Second thoughts.. of course.... Wales

 

[yellowrage 53]

Same as you have been doing all winter, heft and feed if required, ensure entrance is clear, make sure hive is secure from winds and floods and enjoy the break.
For peace of mind I let my neighbour in on my travel plans and he looks out of the window most days to make sure the hives are ok, I leave him the contact number of a beekeeping friend or brother in case he is concerned about anything.

Pack suncream, diacalm and knotted hanky.

cheers guys just 1 or 2 points no gas ,no neighbour they are away too ,brothers in oxford but 2 sons still at home !!!!! by the way from the top of my garden i can see the lake that call tewkesbury !!

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

And the Diawl Bachs

Just making room for them as we speak, and a box of dry flies - who needs anti-malaria tablets anyway - it's for chicks!

 

[user 6228]

Put the 5th scale tree model in bucket to soak

 

[maddydog]

Checked the colony at my mum‘s house for the first time since xmas oxalic treatment. sadly, found a carpet of dead bees outside the hive. judging by their state of decomposition I'm guessing they were casualties soon after application. I gently removed the kingspan cozy and hefted (plenty of stores ). The cedar deep was physically warm to the touch and my 43yo ear was telling me that some of the colony is around. Nothing else to do but leave them alone til warmer days