Budding Cottage

The  history of this apiary is varied.  It all started with two hives from Worcestershire, which were distinctly feisty bees.  They were joined by some bees who swarmed into the orchard (which has lovely low branched trees ideal for collecting swarms from). Anyway, in 2012 it all kicked off, with the hives constantly throwing swarms […]

Feeding the girls to help them into winter – and its proving to be a sizeable challenge. Today (28th) Chris kindly helped me tackle the Apiary 1 girls as he prepared to move the nurse bees from the wild garden.  This was a great boon as I had a sore shoulder and arm, making lifting […]

There has been an outbreak of European Foul Brood in the area, and so the DEFRA national bee unit has swung into action, prioritising visits to apiaries within 5km or so of the outbreak.  My apiaries were on their list! Initial alarm that there might be something wrong in the hives, but a welcome opportunity […]

It has been two weeks since I managed to catch up with the girls – so time to check what they had been up to. First good news in the Pagden hive (Hive D) – there is brood and looks like a queen is in place and laying.  What a relief. They are busy filling […]

Before I leave Mr C in charge of the apiary for a week, time for a quick check of stores and space, among other things, principally to be relatively content that the little devils will have plenty to do and lots of space to do it in. We seem to be entering July, and according […]

There has also been lots of thinking and discussion around Hive G, the one with the more aggressive bees, but this week a complete surprise – I went in during mid morning, when the main forage force was out, and it was nice and sunny.  I deliberately minimised disturbance, just peeking at how they were […]

Well, the first sting was on the wrist, and through a glove, from Hive G.  That was okay, a tingle, some redness which faded rapidly leaving just a faint sensation.  However the second sting was not the same. The second sting is from a bee probably from the same Hive – I popped over to […]

Chris very kindly agreed to come over and give me the benefit of a second view on a couple of my hives.  Extremely generously, this second view extended to all 6 hives eventually and a marathon 3 hour beekeeping practical session… I am still playing around with advice on brood versus half brood; and trying […]

Introducing two new hives from Lulsley, Worcestershire; and one optimistic Padgen maneouvre: Well, with the chance to gain additional hives with colonies, and help out a fellow beekeeper, I decided to buy from a keeper in Worcestershire. Night moves We turned up, Mr C, Mum, Dad and me, at 8pm with rope, ratchet straps, gaffer […]

The more I learn, the more I read, the more I think…the more I have questions and moments of indecision. When  I first started I was happy to peek into a hive and pull it apart frame by frame, having a good nose about.  Now I am stalled by questions, questions, questions. This week I […]