What's flowering as forage in your area

[Swarm]

Is it just a whitish dot on the thorax? I’ve had a few coming back with that and wondered if it might be HB. Wasn’t aware we had any locally……

Looks a bit hour glass shaped, sounds like yours have found some.

 

[Moobee]

Looks a bit hour glass shaped, sounds like yours have found some.

Cool. I’ve not seen it before - this whole area is crisscrossed by a series of natural ditches & small watercourses (known locally as rifes) so surprised there didn’t seem to be any when I started beekeeping.

 

[Curly green finger's]

Lots of little white stripes at the hives, the Balsam seems to have spread further on the farm this year. I was waiting for my lift home having been dropped off and I noticed the same as you, bees on the last, late flowers and the fruit as well.

A lot of hb spread up here Steve more than I’ve seen it but still no stripy bees last year was the same no hb foraged even though its on there doorstep.
2021 we had stripy white bees .
Even over on the heather ( clee ) they were bringing hb back from the brook which is a mile away from them.

 

[Swarm]

Yes, last year there was a small stand of the stuff near a lane. It's appeared behind one of the stands and at least two more stands have Balsam growing right in front of the hives, it's a nuisance.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Just checked the colonies to clear the last of the supers. Mine are piling in balsam nectar into the brood. Should tide them over til the Ivy kicks in. Better than sugar syrup any day.
Balsam here is in ditches and on the roadside. Looks rather pretty when most other flowers have gone.

 

[Gilberdyke John]

Yes, last year there was a small stand of the stuff near a lane. It's appeared behind one of the stands and at least two more stands have Balsam growing right in front of the hives, it's a nuisance.

I wish there was balsam on the farm here

 

[Swarm]

I wish there was balsam on the farm here

You don't. Honestly, I can't believe where it is popping up this year, nowhere near the patch that's been there for a few years. This year we have ripped it down in front of the stand under the Oak tree but there is more on the banking behind. two more stands have Balsam growing on the doorsteps, this area is normally Bramble and Buddleia.

 

[Brenda]

Must check on Japanese Knotweed as it grows by a nearby stream. My Bees stopped going to Heather further away and choose the Knotweed instead. Honey was very good, similar in colour to Bell Heather. Anyone else with experience of the Knotweed? Incidentally, I still get a little Hog Weed too, which makes excellent sections, however you must like the taste, which is like the smell of the plant. I am aware both plants are invasive, although no flower is all bad when the Insects and Butterflies get so much pollen and nectar from them.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Anyone else with experience of the Knotweed?

Honey is red. There is a huge neglected stand just outside Aberystwyth. AlwAys fancied getting a hive up there but never got round to it.

 

[Wilco]

A bit earlier than I'd anticipated. Might be worth shallows this week after all.

 

[The Poot]

View attachment 37516
A bit earlier than I'd anticipated. Might be worth shallows this week after all.

You keep wasps?

 

[Wilco]

You keep wasps?

Sometimes it feels like it. Last year I lost a lot of colonies to wasps on one site. This year they're back but leaving the bees alone... They found an open box of fondant a rat chewed a hole into. I've decided to let them enjoy it.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

A bit earlier than I'd anticipated

had report from Dorian Death the embalmer last week of a serious amount of ivy pollen coming in down his way a bit further West

 

[Erichalfbee]

Not out here yet but I’m looking out for it.

 

[alisonfosterbell]

Here in Picardy the ivy flowers are still tightly budded. At long last, we will have a week of summer weather: in the fields by my apiary are buckwheat, late sunflowers and phacelia.

 

[SWHives]

Bees are all over knotweed and ivy (where it started blooming). Some visiting HB judging by the small number of ghost bees in the hives. Interestingly, did not see many going for the HB this year, although plenty around. Oh yeah, and noticed a few dandelions as well...

 

[simonforeman]

Ivy out all over here in South Lincs. This must be the earliest I've seen it by about 4 weeks. Last of the supers coming off tomorrow so they will now not feeding hopefully

 

[elainemary]

Still lots of plants in my garden for bees to collect pollen from. They’re all over the nasturtiums, though I’m in trouble as they are taking over hubbies veg beds. Picked these from my garden yesterday.

 

[enrico]

Still lots of plants in my garden for bees to collect pollen from. They’re all over the nasturtiums, though I’m in trouble as they are taking over hubbies veg beds. Picked these from my garden yesterday.

You cant see our sedum for bees but I guess that is because there is little else. The gora is good first thing in the morning before the sun drys the nectar

 

[Erichalfbee]

They’re all over the nasturtiums, though I’m in trouble as they are taking over hubbies veg beds.

I’m guilty too
I planted a few to distract the large whites from the brassicas. Certainly did that but ….
Never mind. I’ll have a good haul of the unripe seed pods to make “capers”