Apiary Report March 2020

Obviously, there is not much to report from the apiary as yet this season.

Over the winter, I have been making periodic visits to the apiary, particularly following high winds. I’m happy to report that the hives and the shed have survived unscathed.

Apart from a few of the weaker nucs that were housed in wooden boxes, the only casualty seems to be a fox. The fox was discovered by Tim on one of his walks around the apiary, it remains a mystery as to how or when he met his end, but from a personal point of view ….. well I’d best not elaborate.

In spite of the weather, restrictions that we are all bound by and the danger of scorn from some quarters, the four consecutive favorable days in the 3rd week in March proved too much of a temptation. In addition to inspecting my own bees, I managed to get 3 nucs and 5 hives inspected at the apiary.

All 3 nucs needed feeding, no suprises there. 4 out of the 5 hives had sufficient stores to be getting on with, the fifth needed feeding too.

All nucs and colonies inspected, at home and at the apiary contain brood at all stages, ranging from patches on between 2 and 5 frames. As Frank and I have pointed out before, more than once, colonies will now be using stores at ever increasing rate as the colonies expand, it is imperative to make regular checks(Hefting) as a minimum measure.

I can’t give a realistic date that we can resume the apiary meetings, but I’m sure that I speak for others too, when I say if you are in doubt about anything, there is help at the end of the phone or email.
Personally, I’m not on faceache.

Keith.