Defence

Checking my colonies today for fondant it was noticeable how defensive they were; lifting the roofs to check the fondant instigated an immediate response with bees flying out of the entrance (and in some cases straight down my boots!) and reminding me they were not in the mood to be messed with!!

Pesky Mices!

My hives are all secure and best prepared for the approaching winter. Today, soaked by thunderstorms, I was picking up spare equipment from some sites and again was confronted by mice making snuggly winter homes amongst my empty hives. A lesson to be learned as obviously there must have been suitable gaps for them to gain access. Fortunately little damage had been done and after their initial shock they scurried off into the undergrowth.

Surprise

Checking my colonies today, preparing for winter! I lifted the roof off a hive to find these mice making a lovely nest in the feeder above the brood; following my last visit (2 weeks ago) I had not quite put the roof back square- the gap left was obviously big enough for the mice to sneak in and set up home, nice and warm above the bees, they were not afraid to climb the hive and gain access some 4 feet up!

Melancholy

I had a deep sad feeling as I went round my bees today; it would appear to all intent that the active season is starting to diminish. Plans and preparations need to be implemented to get the bees ready for winter! There may be a late flow (water balsam or heather) but I think that is unlikely and I doubt I would take any honey from my bees from now. The season has unfolded, been manic but enthralling! I am so sad that it is nearing its end.

Turning Point

I could almost sense today what I was going to find checking my bees; as has been the case the last few years for me, the colonies have reached their turning point: brood beginning to reduce, income and forage just ticking over and some stores beginning to appear at the edges of the brood nest. This normally signals that the active season will now dwindle in the next two months as the bees start winter preparations!

WASPS

I have noticed over the last ten days or so young wasps have appeared. This could give rise to a problem in the next month or two; hives may need entrances reducing so as the bees can guard better against such ingress.

Text book Perfect Day

Well my bees must have been swatting up because today was textbook perfect! The weather was glorious too so has to be the best beekeeping day this year so far. The bees were more than happy for me to meddle whilst they went about doing their business and everything was just as it should be (hope I am not cursing myself here). I did tear my bee suit but the bees were not the slightest bit interested in trying to get in, but I will have a repair bill to pay; won't spoil my day though.