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.

Spring?

It was a huge relief (after the latest bout of freezing weather) to see the sunshine today AND bees flying from the hive entrances. Is Spring really on the way? The crocus have forced their way into flower and snow drops too. The daffodils' flower heads are also appearing albeit a little later than last year.

Bees sense electrical fields in plants.

Scientists believe that plants use electric fields to communicate with bees. We now also believe that bees can sense other magnetic fields. Is the penny finally rolling? About to drop?? This is the most studied creature by mankind but there is still so much we do not know; a whole world of electromagnetic fields, smells, pheromones that possibly hold vital keys.

6 months; more like a life sentence!

In conversation today I worked out that the last time I had been "into" (inspected frames of brood) a hive was 6 months ago.... it feels like a lifetime! I can't wait for the months ahead now. I was buoyed by the sight this afternoon of bees coming out of hives at one of my sites, as the sun (all too briefly) warmed the air and lifted temperatures.
Bees (and speedway) are my lifes' passions - aside of my family of course! But both are from Spring to Fall which leaves half the year pining! There are things to do and books to read, but no "live" action through the dark winter!!