What did you do in the Apiary today?

[Macbear]

9 Celsius and I haven't been able to visit the apiary much since before Christmas.
Fed one hive [single BB] with Ambrosia as they have a record of numerical strength and had average stores in October. They didn't have the usual dedicated super which is my practice.
The other is a potential loss being two weaker colonies combined after a disastrous September varroa treatment leaving no sign of Qs, but 2 BBs with plenty of stores: totally quiet, no sign of anything except stores through the central hole in the crown board. Reluctantly I lifted the upper BB to reveal a moderate cluster in the bottom BB. So quickly put everything back. I was concerned that if that colony was dead the other hive would rob. Given what I have seen it will be leave alone until 15 Celsius [March?] and tape the join between the BBs as I broke the propolis seal.

 

[gregior]

9 Celsius and I haven't been able to visit the apiary much since before Christmas.
Fed one hive [single BB] with Ambrosia as they have a record of numerical strength and had average stores in October. They didn't have the usual dedicated super which is my practice.
The other is a potential loss being two weaker colonies combined after a disastrous September varroa treatment leaving no sign of Qs, but 2 BBs with plenty of stores: totally quiet, no sign of anything except stores through the central hole in the crown board. Reluctantly I lifted the upper BB to reveal a moderate cluster in the bottom BB. So quickly put everything back. I was concerned that if that colony was dead the other hive would rob. Given what I have seen it will be leave alone until 15 Celsius [March?] and tape the join between the BBs as I broke the propolis seal.

if I can't see them I just blow down the frames, they will buzz if they're alive.

 

[Murox]

9 Celsius and I haven't been able to visit the apiary much since before Christmas.
Fed one hive [single BB] with Ambrosia as they have a record of numerical strength and had average stores in October. They didn't have the usual dedicated super which is my practice.
The other is a potential loss being two weaker colonies combined after a disastrous September varroa treatment leaving no sign of Qs, but 2 BBs with plenty of stores: totally quiet, no sign of anything except stores through the central hole in the crown board. Reluctantly I lifted the upper BB to reveal a moderate cluster in the bottom BB. So quickly put everything back. I was concerned that if that colony was dead the other hive would rob. Given what I have seen it will be leave alone until 15 Celsius [March?] and tape the join between the BBs as I broke the propolis seal.

I get itchy fingers too, but as you realised you were a wee bit too previous.

 

[Macbear]

I get itchy fingers too, but as you realised you were a wee bit too previous.

Yes - we live and learn!

 

[The Poot]

Mine were all busy today too. Like you last years buckfast much busier than the rest. Interestingly I have one with a local queen who has had a nil varroa drop all winter. Might have to try and get a daughter from her.

A little strange today, as my Buckfast were out and about again, but I didn’t see any pollen going in. One of my three locals was somewhat busy (about half that of the Buckfasts), but the majority of bees were returning with small amounts of pollen. The other two locals were conspicuous by their absence.