Rain Check

Despite what may be read, it is WELL WORTH checking apiaries at REGULAR intervals to see that all is okay!

Pleased to see..

Today was sunny, not too warm; but warm enough for the bees to venture out. I was pleased to see activity at all the hives I checked today. Some even had pollen coming in !

"Chobbling" away

Checked the fondant today on all my hives; many had the bees "chobbling" away and a few colonies needed more! A sure sign of how poor summer was ( I took no honey off any hive after the Rape this year). The pleasing sign was the way many reared their stings up at me as I peeked to check the fondant (a real "thanks for checking but clear off !" from the bees) .

Autumn

Autumn is really here and the colour of the trees is a beautiful spectacle.In the autumn sunshine the hives are busy, vital pollen abounds as bees return waddling into the hive. A sight to behold!

Natural Beekeeping

It was good to read in BeeCraft about the Natural Beekeeping Convention. What a shame that to date my local branch and County seem afraid (and ignorant) of trying this approach.

Ivy

Apiguard treatments complete and every hive has food; it was so sad to close the gates on sites knowing that is it, season over! To a large extent all is in the hands of Mother Nature now until Spring (6 months away!! Ugh!). As I drove along though I did notice a most distinctive smell - Ivy in bloom!

Ivy....Last Hope?

Stuck in a queue of traffic coming home from work tonight, I noticed some Ivy draped over a wall, laden with buds - A last chance for the bees to stock up from natural sources. Lets hope it yields well to help the "girlies" through winter.