Not commonly listed as a pollen plant, pendulous sedge is actually very well worked by bees, we always see (and hear) a lot of workers on this plant.
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Took an opportunity today to have a look at a couple of colonies, nice to see a generally good build-up; some are always ahead of others or at least, that's how they look at a glance but we do get a 'feel' for the one's that are 'right' even if at present they appear to be behind others in the apiary; so long as there's no underlying problem we know that they'll be OK. No equalizing here, let them build up at their own pace and watch, observe the outcome. Like so many other beekeepers we have a herd of very diverse genetic heritage so instead of trying to force them into a predetermined schedule why not attempt to harness their own innate qualities? We like to put out a few bait hives each spring not so much to get new bees as to reduce the likelihood of getting a call from a nearby household requesting that we remove these strays from their chimney or cavity wall etc. When people know that we 'do' bees it becomes pretty much expected that we'll sort out any problems, after all, to an outsider it's probably natural to assume that we caused the issue in the first place!! good public relations are always important when dealing with bees. Another benefit of catching swarms is that we can learn a lot about the way that colonies establish themselves in nature by observing their build up -especially so if they're allowed to build natural comb. Spent a few hours putting together a few bait hives today. In the past we've never used any specific design; empty broods and double nuc boxes probably being our favourite -because they've been available. This year we are making a few top bar nucs based around the warre idea but not strictly following the 'proper' design. In future years, as empty broods and nuc boxes become fewer in number this may well become a standard, cheap design for us. The photo is actually of an old modified dadant brood body which just happened to be waiting for some repair work... Do you overwinter 'spare' queens? Each year we try to leave a queen in each of our larger mating nucs as an insurance policy against winter losses; a spare queen at this time of year can save an otherwise good stock that has a drone-laying queen. Of course, we usually have plenty left over which we can then use to head increase nucs in May. Another advantage is that this method keeps the mating nuc frames stocked so when the time comes to place the first batch of queen cells we don't have the hassle of restocking empty mating boxes. Considering the winter which these small wooden nucs have been subjected to (relentless easterly winds for over two months) they seem to be doing really well for themselves. The frames are approximately the same size as a half length dadant shallow (langstroth medium) frame. The box in this photo holds eight frames during the winter months but is large enough to receive a central division board later in the season so that we have two four frame mating nucs in each box. Just got back from straightening out a few hives which had been upturned by a gang of stray horses that had managed to get through the fence-line, probably looking for some shelter from the latest storm; one fatality (a small mating nuc) no one's fault, just one of those things which we learn to live with.
It's hard but there's an old farming quote which sums up days like today: "If you've got livestock, you've got dead stock". Taking advantage of a few days 'spare' to build more mating hives -mainly from reclaimed wood which we've aquired during the winter months -maybe not sale quality boxes but they're more than good enough for our own use; it's an old and tired saying (but so very true) that the bees don't mind.
The boxes we're building at present each house two four frame mini nucs. We're unable to upload photos at present but will be doing so shortly. Do you use mating nucs in your beekeeping? We'd love to hear of your experiences and preferences if you feel like writing something. Recently we've been unable to put as much time into this site as we'd like to, but we are still 'here' and planning a few new posts and articles in the build up to Spring.
The weather has been atrocious of late with our overwintering mating nucs taking the brunt of some severe storms; at this point I might mention that we still have in use some of our early experimental designs built from orientated strandboard '3' (OSB3). So far, no losses at all from these little boxes in their exposed clifftop sites. Part breeding and part preparation! Spring is still a way off and it's too soon to be counting chickens but I do hope that you're all having similar success to date, and may it continue. Much as we love Christmas it's always nice to reach New Year; a landmark on our way to the Spring. There's always stuff to be doing through the winter of course, building new boxes, repairing and cleaning old ones, making candles and bottling honey not to mention dreaming of the season to come. One benefit of the long winter evenings is that they afford the opportunity to take a little extra time to read, personally I think that it pays to try and have a beekeeping book on the go at all times, such a consistent programme of reading helps to build a general knowledge base which helps no end during the season. Another benefit of books is that (so long as you buy them rather than borrow) they slowly take on the status of your own reference library. Books needn't cost a great deal either, this last month I've received two second hand bargains from ebay which I know cost a total of just under £6 including postage! A hardback copy of Ron Brown's 'Beekeeping: A Seasonal Guide' (a great early years reference book) and Douglas Whynott's 'Following the Bloom' an entertaining and enjoyable look at migratory beekeeping in the USA. So, I'd say, go scour the internet and second hand bookshops -once you start building that library you'll not want to stop. |
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