What did you do in the Apiary today?

[Dadnlad]

Managed to check through all hives before the cold weekend arrives. All broodnests expanding steadily - one by 4 frames in a fortnight, so got my eye on her.
Interestingly the Smith colonies have moved the bulk of their stores upstairs, are filling supers and are seemingly overflowing with bees compared to the extra elbow room in the 14x12 colonies
Moved new hives into position in readiness for swarming season

 

[Goran]

Today bees calm as the lambs.. Didn't noticed my banging, rearanging the frames, boxes.. They just stick to the frames.. Like in some bee "nirvana"..
Some colonies is beauty to watch how they developed. Still none started swarm preps ( no eggs in "playcups").
Even I heard around some got swarms.. What a joy..
I always say to beeks that I know, if someone passing near our apiaries and see a swarm, freely can take it. Even I am not around.. I don't like to see a swarm even painted one.. I strive to have stock less swarmy.
Nice loads of new honey and pollen.. Seems maples are along with black ash generous with nectar. Also hawthorn still flowering. Bees started to visit aronias these days. Service trees are finished, apples also..

 

[Hedgerow Honey]

Last night I had a quick look at the rape hives I missed at the weekend just to put more supers on and united a q-less colony with one of my overwintered nucs and by god were they all grumpy two thick pairs of gloves were required its been a long time since I have had my own stocks so bad at least it should keep nosy people away for a while.

 

[dpearce4]

Collected my first swarm of the season.

 

[deanrpwaacs]

Collected my first swarm of the season.

panic panic run for the hills .

 

[Obee1]

Collected my first swarm of the season.

Woo hoo. The season is officially started!

 

[dpearce4]

panic panic run for the hills .

lol I know the feeling. I haven't inspected half of mine yet and not sure when I will be able to.

 

[dpearce4]

Woo hoo. The season is officially started!

It took me 3 attempts to get it in the box and that was after another beek tried yesterday and was unsuccessful and they called me as they had work commitments and wasn't able to try again.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Collected my first swarm of the season.

Wow!!!

 

[nantmoel]

Collected my first swarm of the season.

Best I get my swarm kit in the car again.

 

[victor meldrew]

Last night I had a quick look at the rape hives I missed at the weekend just to put more supers on and united a q-less colony with one of my overwintered nucs and by god were they all grumpy two thick pairs of gloves were required its been a long time since I have had my own stocks so bad at least it should keep nosy people away for a while.

Hawthorns are weeks away from flowering in the UK ,

 

[Obee1]

It took me 3 attempts to get it in the box and that was after another beek tried yesterday and was unsuccessful and they called me as they had work commitments and wasn't able to try again.

Are you on the swarm collectors list of your association?

 

[Itchy]

First swarm last year was 15 April

 

[Obee1]

First swarm last year was 15 April

In what part of the country was that?

 

[Itchy]

South East

 

[alldigging]

Are you on the swarm collectors list of your association?

More to the point are you on the BBKA swarm list?

It's still not been updated with Manchester's info. Oldham's is on though.

 

[dpearce4]

Are you on the swarm collectors list of your association?

yep.

 

[dpearce4]

More to the point are you on the BBKA swarm list?

It's still not been updated with Manchester's info. Oldham's is on though.

I was but then I wouldn't want to anymore as most of the calls I had were about bumbles or wasps (hoping I would get rid without charging like a pest control company would charge, people get the hump when you refuse to).

 

[madasafish]

Fed my strongest colony which has 9 frames of brood in a jumbo lang. I am asking them to draw out foundation in a super so they need some food.. There's not a lot of nectar as everything is late...

(One of the aftereffects of my AFB outbreak is a serious lack of drawn comb)

 

[Cussword]

Found open queen cells at one apiary. Put the queen, one frame of sealed brood and a frame of food in a nuc, six feet away.
Fingers crossed.