What did you do in the Apiary today?

[Cuckmere couple]

spotted my first pollen being taken in yesterday - bright orange, as i went to check fondant etc

 

[Erichalfbee]

Just been to check - looks like I got through the night...

Did you check all your fingers and toes were still there?

 

[Newbeeneil]

Just been to check - looks like I got through the night...

Same here, checked all that I thought were vulnerable including the local Museum's hives that a group of us look after. All ok and none under trees this time!

 

[The Poot in Somerset]

With the wind and rain still making the garden a quagmire, I cleaned up three queen excluders ready for better days. Seemed a positive thing to do.

 

[SDM]

It quieted down here for the afternoon but back to gusting just over 60mph. Wind wise Dennis wasn't bad enough to warrant a hive check

 

[Goran]

At my place.. is like middle of March.. If such weather continue.. we could really have first ( swarm) queens on 1st April. But politicians assure us there is no climate changes, so I don't have to worry much..
Anyway bees are roaring across area for days. First they exploited lofty amount of hazel pollen and now meadow ( dead nettle, common field-speedwell, etc..). Cornel start to open flowers and significant nectar source will be available, watching Goat Willow will start soon and if such weather continue.. I will have to start to work with frames a month earlier than ever..
Hail, Queen Asphyxia, Supreme Mistress of the Universe..

 

[Antipodes]

I looked in the bush around a few apiary sites for any flowering gums. Some are flowering as the big dry continues but not sure on any nectar. Photographed this poor thing looking for a green shoot I suppose.

 

[drex]

Had a walk round after the storms. All good. Lovely mild and sunny day and lots flying, pollen coming in and orientation flights.

 

[XYZ]

I checked mine last night, not much on the inspection trays - probably blown out. Definitely bees and stores in the two hives and the nuc.
It seems they're all doing well.

Really happy I have clear crown boards.

 

[Angularity]

I went to a small out-apiary in an old orchard, and stood up two hives after the storm. The ground was so wet the stands had sunk in, then pivoted with the wind. The hive on the slab was fine. Got to get some more slabs.

They were all strapped together, so putting them up wasn't a very stingy job. Not that the girls weren't exceedingly cross.

 

[Curly green finger's]

Took these this morning all seems good

 

[Curly green finger's]

I've not got use to this phone yet opologies if the pics are big.

 

[Antipodes]

CGFs......The pics are good.

 

[Curly green finger's]

CGFs......The pics are good.

The first picture was a primary swarm which didn't like being in a box obsconded twice until I added a frame of mainly capped brood they stayed put after that.
The picture of the pink hive and nuc are f1 black bee's which now take pride and place in the garden in front of the tunnel.

 

[Erichalfbee]

I've not got use to this phone yet opologies if the pics are big.

I took them off the page. You have to click on the links now. Sorry. It makes it really hard for people to read the thread on their phones if you don’t resize them.

 

[Curly green finger's]

I wondered where the other two photos went I'll re - size them next time and make them smaller cheers dani.

 

[Podilia]

At my place.. is like middle of March.. If such weather continue.. we could really have first ( swarm) queens on 1st April. But politicians assure us there is no climate changes, so I don't have to worry much..

Hello. Almost the same weather is here. Bees flew yesterday and today even more. And two cleanse flights in January. Though no pollen awaliable here (Vinnytsia) yet, southern and western beekeepers report about pollen. According to the scientific definition we do not have winter because the average day and night temperature is above zero. So called Siberian antyciclone which used to reach our territory, this winter delayed somewhere near the Ural mountains. In fact, it has been losing its strength for decades. Western Russia is also warm. Although warm winter brings some benefits, the lack of precipitation is significant. If politicians know something or have a probable future scenario about climate, I think, they never tell us. They can't say, for example: "dear people, according to the most probable climate model our country will turn into a desert in a few years, but don't worry we will care about you ". This must be secret information.

How is the honey market in Croatia? Has anything changed?

 

[Goran]

Hello. Almost the same weather is here. Bees flew yesterday and today even more. And two cleanse flights in January. Though no pollen awaliable here (Vinnytsia) yet, southern and western beekeepers report about pollen. According to the scientific definition we do not have winter because the average day and night temperature is above zero. So called Siberian antyciclone which used to reach our territory, this winter delayed somewhere near the Ural mountains. In fact, it has been losing its strength for decades. Western Russia is also warm. Although warm winter brings some benefits, the lack of precipitation is significant. If politicians know something or have a probable future scenario about climate, I think, they never tell us. They can't say, for example: "dear people, according to the most probable climate model our country will turn into a desert in a few years, but don't worry we will care about you ". This must be secret information.

How is the honey market in Croatia? Has anything changed?

It changed into worse, no one even ask for honey.. Honey is sitting in the barrels.. Some beeks have full shed of barrels and they say as long they can afford they'll keep it and won't give for a nickle.. I have few and don't worry much, though I would like more to sell it instead..
For bees no one ask to buy, they become worthless - I cannot sell colonies.. If I have to I would rather give them for free than for nickle to someone laughs at my misery..
I plan each colony which is below standard in spring to merge with other to reduce colony numbers. To don't understand me wrong, I love to work with bees and could stay whole day at the apiary..but when you cannot get paid for your work.. Even further I am thinking for main forage to apply " Dzierzon diamond rule", but have to see of time available..

 

[pargyle]

It changed into worse, no one even ask for honey.. Honey is sitting in the barrels.. Some beeks have full shed of barrels and they say as long they can afford they'll keep it and won't give for a nickle.. I have few and don't worry much, though I would like more to sell it instead..
For bees no one ask to buy, they become worthless - I cannot sell colonies.. If I have to I would rather give them for free than for nickle to someone laughs at my misery..
I plan each colony which is below standard in spring to merge with other to reduce colony numbers. To don't understand me wrong, I love to work with bees and could stay whole day at the apiary..but when you cannot get paid for your work.. Even further I am thinking for main forage to apply " Dzierzon diamond rule", but have to see of time available..

That's really sad Goran.. I know it's been tough for you over there in the past but it really sounds desperate at the moment. All that work and you can't make a decent amount of money out of it. I'm sure everyone on here who has followed you all these years feels your pain.

Let's hope it gets better and you can find a market for your honey and your bees.

Philip

 

[Podilia]

It changed into worse, no one even ask for honey.. Honey is sitting in the barrels.. Some beeks have full shed of barrels and they say as long they can afford they'll keep it and won't give for a nickle.. I have few and don't worry much, though I would like more to sell it instead..

I understand your feeling. Many professional apiaries with good equipment are ready for sale now. Mafia dropped the prices from 1,5 USD/kg to 1 USD/kg - the level when any development is impossible. People leave this country and many don't want to return. I also don't see the good future here.
If they poison my bees in the summer again I will have to give up. Even the low price of honey doesn't hurt me so much as the piles of dead bees.

I am thinking for main forage to apply " Dzierzon diamond rule", but have to see of time available..

What is this method?