December in the Apiaries

After the storms of November and December, the weather has improved somewhat here in North Nottinghamshire. The early autumnal feeding once again has paid dividends, for colonies remain strong. The late flowering pollen and nectar plant mixes that the Farmers have put down have also helped massively.

The bees were flying yesterday across all apiaries at temperatures of circa 8 degrees Celsius. Politer Beekeepers may say with regards the bees, “they’re going for a cleansing flight.” When it comes to Bees, goodness knows what they are up to, all we can do is best guess.

With such activity and flying time coupled with limited food resources, food levels will need to be artificially topped up to prevent starvation, especially with the potential temperature drops of January and February forthcoming.

Apiary damage from the recent Storm Darragh has been minimal. Some of the Queen rearing, mini-plus hives were toppled, though no colonies were lost.

Unlike this time last year, wasps are noticeable by their absence, poor blighters, they have a tough life. Nor, do they receive the credit they are due for the ecological niche they occupy, even if they do destroy our bee colonies later on in the year.

Next comes January and what it has in store? Who knows. In theory if all colonies are well fed and have strong stores, all will be good.”