What did you do in the Apiary today?

[AndyTh]

Walked through woods near home and noticed a felled ash, felled in the late summer, with a hollow, cut clean through with old comb showing. Must have died out. Crouched down, took a photo, and put my hand in to break off a piece of comb. Withdrew it smartish when dark bees came out to have a look, stinging me to remind me they were definitely still alive!
Too exposed to survive the winter, so I arranged a cut log to close off the opening. Small volume means they can't have sufficient stores to get through to spring.

 

[Erichalfbee]

I hope you went back and popped some fondant in there

 

[pargyle]

I hope you went back and popped some fondant in there

I would have done... feral bees are such a valuable commodity and living in Derek's favourite hive - and surviving having their home cut in half - real survivors - I can only wish them a short mild winter and lots of swarming next year !!

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

What they need is a Kingspan cozee - no point in expecting them to survive in a bit of wood.

 

[Robbo8916]

Been down to view a potential apiary site for the spring. On a farm, fenced in orchard for my own private use. Perfect!

Got a couple more places to visit but looks like I am going to have quite a few out apiaries next year!

 

[Erichalfbee]

looks like I am going to have quite a few out apiaries next year!

Good stuff

 

[AndyTh]

I hope you went back and popped some fondant in there

I will, and I like JBs suggestion of a cozee!

 

[linoleum bonypart]

Better get ordering some nucs then robbo.....will look forward to this next year

 

[Goran]

Over here today was around 20C day temp. About 7 days ago around 4C.. Wasps are back. Bees alive and in the field.. Dandelions and " stuff".. Hazel catkins are growing.. pollen " patties" on branches are preparing for next season if weather allow the bees to use them..

 

[Webby]

Belt n Braces

With the strong winds we're having and my bees being at the top of a hill I rachet strapped them down for peace of mind.

 

[Plenty of honey]

Checked a few apiaries after last night 70mph howler from due south. seems were all ok, just tons of leaves everywhere. found the missing sheet of poly carb from my greenhouse roof, refitted that! then it started raining again, heavy and cold rain. already cant wait for spring.

 

[GaryB]

Been down to view a potential apiary site for the spring. On a farm, fenced in orchard for my own private use. Perfect!

Got a couple more places to visit but looks like I am going to have quite a few out apiaries next year!

Excellent. Good luck for next season.

 

[GaryB]

With the strong winds we're having and my bees being at the top of a hill I rachet strapped them down for peace of mind.

Me too. Strapped the hive to the deck. Good job I did as we have major structural damage all around us, even the chicken's coop didn't get away with it, as they were all looking at the sky early this morning. They all survived and didn't seem to mind...

 

[madasafish]

With the strong winds we're having and my bees being at the top of a hill I rachet strapped them down for peace of mind.

I always strap down all my conventional hives.. Winter = gales.

Not seen a bee for at least 3 weeks... apart from a few dead ones outside.

 

[Millet]

I always strap down all my conventional hives.. Winter = gales.

Not seen a bee for at least 3 weeks... apart from a few dead ones outside.

Mine where out and about flying three days ago.

 

[madasafish]

Mine where out and about flying three days ago.

Frosts.

 

[Millet]

We have the usual morning frosts but when the sun gets up it clears the frost and warms the hive, the hive is in a dip on the landscape which is pretty sheltered from most of the wind that may be why they are getting out and about.
They will not be out today though the weather is vile, cold/wet and windy.

 

[Tim.S]

Removed two feeders left on from a month ago - bees seem happy, fed two more with fondant as I ran out of time earlier. Just three more feeders to remove on a mild day and another two to possibly put fondant on. I don't know how but I seem to have twelve hives - damn things seem to come from nowhere!

 

[Tremyfro]

My bees have been quite active this Autumn....collecting pollen etc. Now all is quiet after the storms of the last few days. We lifted the roof of each hive to remove feeders and replaced each with a carton of fondant....just to cover the hole in the cover board. Lots of wool insulation added to the supers and straps added. The insulation blocks were put under the beehauses and strapped into place. Winter prep finished. After Xmas hefting and fondant for any which seem light...and some midwinter Vaping.....

 

[user 6228]

watching the bees bounce the wasps.