ROUGH CROSSING

With the unpredictable weather - it’s important to keep an eye on the hives. So, during the three consecutive storms we had towards the end of February, I kept going over to the apiary to make sure the hives were still standing. And, they were. Mind you, they’re strapped down really securely and have a heavy concrete slab on top of each one so one would think they would be. However, if the storms can blow the roof of the O2 it could take out my hives.

Once the weather calmed down, I went up to check on the fondant icing I’d given them. They had licked the little plastic containers completely clean in all the hives bar one who have ignored my generous offering. They’re still alive and well so, they must have had more stores than the rest or put them in a more accessible place!

The image on the video below is the ‘gateway’ to my apiary. I have to cross this gorgeous little stream to get to my honeybees. I remember the Chairman of Chiltern Beekeepers Association (now retired), Bill Fisher, asking me, when I moved from Buckinghamshire to Herefordshire and told him I’d found a place for my girls, if there was easy access. “Oh yes” I lied, because the place I’d been offered was so beautiful I wanted to keep my bees there no matter what. Take a look at the video. It’s my latest visit to the apiary following Storm Franklin! I’d have abseiled across if I’d had to…it’s all part of the adventure!

What’s not part of the adventure is failing to suit and boot yourself properly, prior to checking in the hive.

Inside the hive, not too much is going on. The queen will be laying a few more eggs every day. The workers are about 4 months old now and so will need replacing by the young up and coming brood. On warm and sunny days they will be out doing cleansing flights and making the most of everything the hardy flowers, like snowdrops, have to offer. It’s always such a sweet surprise when you see the first honeybee out foraging. The young lady in this picture greeted me at the gate when I arrived back from sorting my horse out early one morning. I followed her as she flew on to one of the flowers in the wild flower garden we planted last year. Sunshine and honeybees? I should coco!

As for we beekeepers… other than preparing the equipment that will be required when the weather warms up… there’s little else to do. I say that, but trust me that takes time.

This is a video I took just after replacing the fondant icing, while my eye slowly swelling! It just shows you how the honeybees make use of every ray of sunshine. Check out the pollen on their legs as they go into the hive!

Well, that’s it for February… always a short blog! However, weather permitting, next month should be full of wonderful images of honeybees and flowers along with a little more news about the state of the hives following the winter months. Roll on the spring!

I will leave you with this lovely poem I found on line, written, presumably, by an anonymous child! Love the picture too… apart from, honeybees don’t have their sting on the outside!

I can second those sentiments!

SWEET SURPRISES