Slabs

As a result of hives on one site being prone to sinking and leaning (and in the past 2 have fallen over), I have bought some 600mm square slabs to make firm platforms. As the weather is cold I thought it a good day to start putting some down on site. I managed to carefully heft each hive to one side before leveling the ground and laying a slab, but on each ocaision as I hefted the hive back into place a few of my" little darlings" angrily buzzed out of the entrance to see what I was playing at!

Under Attack! Winter and Climate losses

A mild day today and visiting the hives meant I could see colonies flying to ensure their presence. Sadly some have been lost and it appears the wet,damp, but cold weather over the last month has been their demise (as all were okay back in December). Indeed the news today highlights the weather/climate and how different it has been the last twelve months; this is worrying and does not bode well for our bees. To add to my woes today one WBC entrance had been hacked (with the reduce entrance slide thrown off and due to the damage cannot now be replaced) by what I really don't know. The bees were still alive inside and I have fitted a metal mouse guard over the entrance.

Happy New Year

Wishing the best for everyone in the year ahead; 2013!

Happy Christmas!

Wishing everyone a Happy Christmas! Very best wishes for the year of 2013

Not Another New Concept! ?

Following on from my last blog:
Am I another one of these people who thinks my way is best/ better? Another hive design and management regime?  I don't know, maybe I am. But just to reiterate that for me, the bees are the most important and that they should thrive.

Deep thoughts on the next step......

I have moved away from mainstream beekeeping principles as I believe they are not best for the bees. I have spent well over a year now thinking how to proceed. I have tried and tested some alternative methods with some success. I have developed my own approach towards caring for the bees and albeit unorthodox it seems the right way, even though it flies in the face of recognised teachings. My concern is what is best for the bees.In getting it right they may reward me with excess honey and numbers. I am committed to this path even if it means "wasting" a lot of my current equipment. I only wish others could see it too.

Dear Santa....

Checking my apiary sites today in the bleak cold frosty settings all was still and quiet, on the outside...but on the inside I would hope there was a warm/hot and cosy environment! Maybe if santa had a small cash surplus I could wish for a thermal camera and endoscope just to make sure!