Swans return...and an addition!

The swans have returned at my one of my apiary sites and brought with them a youngster! Their offspring I presume? A sign that Spring is on the way, I hope!

Flow Hive

My Flow Hive arrived today, from Australia! It looks good. I am really chuffed!

Necessary Evil..?

The current cold spell is what I have been waiting for. It should help to kill off pests and diseases harbouring in the hives. Also the bees will become torpid and form a tight cluster; this inactivity will reduce food consumption and so preserve stores.

2016

Hoping and wishing a good year ahead for everyone!

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.