What did you do in the Apiary today?

[Erichalfbee]

Red kites are native Welsh and carrion eaters. The only wildlife they endanger are ex life

 

[Swarm]

Red kites are native Welsh and carrion eaters. The only wildlife they endanger are ex life

No threat to partidges, that's for sure. That kind of thinking got them reduced to the tiny population they once were in Wales, which is quite ironic.

 

[BMH]

Did an inspection today. Quite happy with this hive. 8 frame of brood. All like this...

[/url]2016-04-19_07-34-54 by laurence edwards, on Flickr[/IMG]

 

[BMH]

Also found a queen cell in a different colony on a super frame that I had moved to the side in an attempt to remove from the colony. It was an old honey super (8 frames in a cedar super) and was messing up the spacing.

I have taken the frame and a frame of honey and made up a nuc with some drawn foundation. I know its too early but I wanted to get rid of that frame anyway so if she doesnt mate succesfully (probable) I will just reunite in a few weeks.

It came from a very strong hive on brood and half with 7 brood frames full and 7 super frames full of brood so they will cope.

 

[Swarm]

Nice bees, it looks like they've found the Dandelions.

 

[BMH]

Nice bees, it looks like they've found the Dandelions.

Cheers.

How did you know that?

They have certainly been foraging on dandelions. They are next to a field that is absolutely full of them and its been 16/17c all day today.

They are an excellent temperament - really nice to handle.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Sorry Erica but i would not allow them or any other reintroduced bird of prey species to build a nest anywhere near me, the nearly extinct grey partridge are on the up for that reason and my way of thinking.
.

They're not reintroduced - they've always been here, in fact their numbers plumetted at about the same time as the grey partridge more or less became extinc here. It's nice to see them back to their proper strength. And if you knew anything you would know that the kite is a carrion eater and is virtually no danger to another living creature.

 

[Tom Jay]

Nice bees, it looks like they've found the Dandelions.

Agreed about that lovely frame!
And that rich yellowing of the wax from the oil in the dandelion pollen - yes?

I did nothing in the apiary today except REJOICE in this very first whole day of foraging: busy from 9.30am and some still coming home at 6pm. While I've seen all my hives busy several times for weeks, it's been 2 or 3 hours max until today.

 

[Swarm]

Nothing like the glow of wax drawn when Dandelion is coming in, even the frames.

Edit: ... and don't forget the smell, too.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Nothing like the glow of wax drawn when Dandelion is coming in, even the frames.

Edit: ... and don't forget the smell, too.

it's been coming here in dribs and drabs the last couple of weeks here but today I noticed the flowers out in force

 

[Millet]

They're not reintroduced - they've always been here, in fact their numbers plumetted at about the same time as the grey partridge more or less became extinc here. It's nice to see them back to their proper strength. And if you knew anything you would know that the kite is a carrion eater and is virtually no danger to another living creature.

They are.. and day old poults are easy pickings, my head is battered with these new age even old age tree huggers..

Read this my Gamekeeper/ BEEKEEPING Eisenstein Friend.

http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverande...rn/birdguide/name/r/redkite/conservation.aspx

 

[Hivemaker.]

Consequently, the red kite became extinct in England in 1871 and in Scotland in 1879. By 1903 when protection efforts started, only a handful of pairs were left in remote parts of central Wales.

The small remnant population survived the persecution in the old oakwoods in the undisturbed upland valleys of mid-Wales, but despite extensive efforts, the numbers remained extremely low. The tightest genetic bottle-neck came in the 1930s. Even though several pairs survived, DNA analysis has since discovered that the entire Welsh population was derived from a single female bird. The population did not exceed 20 pairs until the 1960’s, when it started slowly to increase.

http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverande...earn/birdguide/name/r/redkite/population.aspx

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

They are.. .

they may be with you in Engerland but in Wales, they never went away and the only partridges we have are Frenchmen so it matters not a jot especially as there are none in the areas where there are kites. My head just rings with these numpties who want to kill anything and everything that is even accused of interfering with introduced species such as pheasant and red legged partridges. So much with being in tune with the countryside!

 

[Brigsy]

Wonder how many imported queens there are?


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[Millet]

they may be with you in Engerland but in Wales, they never went away and the only partridges we have are Frenchmen so it matters not a jot especially as there are none in the areas where there are kites. My head just rings with these numpties who want to kill anything and everything that is even accused of interfering with introduced species such as pheasant and red legged partridges. So much with being in tune with the countryside!

You are correct as always.. Not

 

[Erichalfbee]

Anyway, I have a pair nesting in the Apiary field, a pair along the bridle path leading to the house and after the nest in the garden blew down they have relocated to an Oak tree across the field from the house. They get day old chicks when they are feeding young....just one or two if the weather is bad.

 

[philipm]

Most of the birds like the Partridge and many other birds that live on farm land suffered in the past due to excess use of chemicals by farmers, which meant that their eggs didn't hatch or there wasn't enough food to support a brood of chicks. We have loads of Red Kites and Buzzards in our area never had any problem with them taking chickens or the chicks. We also have Peregrin Falcons that nest nearby they control the Magpie and Pigeon population.

 

[bontbee]

Does anyone else feel that the buzzard population round here has declined since kites got so numerous? And, probably not related to kites(?), what about kestrels that used to be two-a-penny along motorways? Where have they gone?

I still thrill at the sight of a kite, though - only the other day I spent far too long watching four riding a thermal over town. But I do miss seeing the old buzzard as often as I used to.

oops, missed your post, philipm - obviously no lack of buzzards on your patch!

 

[Brigsy]

Buzzards and kites around me are both increasing sightings wise. Have to say, especially buzzards.

 

[Fatbee]

We've now got loads of kites since they spread from the Chilterns. Notice plenty of buzzards as well. It's a good sign - shows there is plenty of food about and the lower food chain is function well.
As for pheasants, not sure if they take or not chicks, but they have as much right as we do in killing pheasants - they do for food, we do for sport. Which one seems more justified? (And pheasants to eat for us are a by-product of the shooting, don't think otherwise)