Listen to Bee Farmers

The latest televised coverage on the plight of our bees still seems to miss the main point! Though I did see the Bee Farmers hit the nail right on the head: varroa and Neonicotinoids hold little relevance at this moment - the poor summer last year meant many new queens did not get properly mated, and colonies were poorly nourished for the long, hard, cold winter which followed and from which we are only now (May) just emerging. Many colonies have perished as a result or have been left small and probably weak. Depending on how this "Summer" unfolds our bees, or what are left of them, are again already under new stresses to survive.

Spring yet?...No not quite?

I would say that my bees and the flowers and trees are around 6 weeks behind compared to recent seasons. I have suffered losses this winter like never before, on the back of last "summer" as it was named ! What I don't understand is that there appears little or no concern for this (although there probably will be when its' too late); I haven't heard the government or the media mention about the continued struggle for bees- there are vague references about decline in pollinating insects, but it is a lot more serious than that and this year could turn out a lot lot worse - I HOPE NOT!

At last..?

The milder temperature and a break in the rain led me to quickly check my sites.There was huge relief to see hive entrances very active and pollen loads arriving back. One of the most reassuring signs in beekeeping has to be workers arriving back at hive entrances and "waddling" in, back legs laden with pollen!
Lets' hope this is the start of things to come.

Devastation around the corner ?

It is still cold; many plants and trees are barely showing signs of being in bud and its nearly the middle of April ! If it doesn't warm up very soon then the effect upon our bees and much more will be devastating!!

Concerned.... No Worried!

I am really concerned about my bees. I have to admit I am worried. The winter has been so long and relentlessly cold, right on the back of a most dreadful summer last year. I really want the weather to improve quickly; then I have to discover the plight of my bees!

Come On Spring..... Your Bees Need You!

The continued cold weather is of concern and the sooner Spring arrives now the better. After an awful summer last year this long cold winter may well be very bad news for bee keepers; I hope that I am wrong.

Under Attack/ Losses Part 2.

Checking all my colonies today there are notable losses around the sites; on a positive note a greater number are still there! Most are now consuming fondant and clustered at the top of the hive - a sure sign that stores are dwindling or gone. So it is imperative that food is available for the bees until Spring finally arrives and that seems to be still a time away (according to the latest weather predictions!).
The colony in the WBC which was under attack has further damage to the entrance and the vent holes. A metal mouse guard forced across the entrance has been bent open. However to my surprise the bees are still there and seem okay. It will be really interesting to open this up and see inside, hopefully in the near future. I can only guess that a rat or shrew or similar creature has/is lodged in there.