Seasons Greetings!

A Happy Christmas to everyone!

Concern?

The winter so far has been VERY mild (and wet!). This is not good for the bees; it also seems to be playing havoc with the plants and trees. A good cold spell is really needed!

Toppled Hive

I decided to pop round my apiaries today as it had been over a week since my last visit and I'm so glad that I did. A hive was toppled over and judging by the grass being yellow underneath where it had fallen it had been like it for a time. I could see the bees clustered in the frames so I carefully reassembled it. It will be Spring before I can see if all is well! I am wondering how it happened; the stand was fine and where it was situated, if it had blown over others would have fallen too.

National Honey Week

The clocks go back early Sunday morning which is the start of National Honey Week! Celebrating the harvest and promoting the plight of the honey bee.

Ivy

Another warm and sunny day and the bees in my garden were very busy; returning laden with pollen. It was easy to determine the source as the odour from the hives was a real giveaway that the Ivy is in bloom!

Raking It In

A bright sunny day today and I was pleased to see bees flying from all my hives and returning laden with pollen. A good sign leading into winter.

Its been a while !

Due to work commitments I have not been able to do a lot with the bees the last few weeks but they were wintered down ready beforehand. I have managed to rush to my apiaries just to see that the hives were all upright and bees flying. I cannot do any more for them now, it is up to nature until next March 2016! I hope she is kind and sees that my intentions and efforts were all good.