AJuff Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 I'm so impatient for spring to arrive and my bees to go about their business. Despite snowdrops, crocus and hazel willow out there has been no sign of my bees, it's just too cold here. Hurry up warm spring sunshine!!!!! Anyone's bees about pollen collecting yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 Ours have been out a few times when the temperature has been around 10C - they were bringing in lots of pollen! Fingers crossed that all 4 colonies make it through, we could do without this current cold snap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 Mine have been out on sunny days. I quickly lifted the lid off each hive to add some fondant a couple of weeks ago, and I'm really pleased that both mine look to be ok - I didn't go into the brood chamber, but there were plenty of bees crawling up through the crown board so I'm fairly hopeful that they are doing ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 Our 2 hives were flying in the recent burst of sun and extreme cold. They are both being fed (one colony is newly homed with us) and can be seen all over the fondant; we didn't delve any deeper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJuff Posted March 3, 2013 Author Share Posted March 3, 2013 Wow! My fine day has arrived and my girls were out and about foraging on snowdrops, crocus and hazel. They have cleared lots of dead bees from the front floor of the hive - a spring clean! Didn't go in as it was too cold but I peaked under the roof and could see them all over the fondant. So pleased they are alive and well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted March 3, 2013 Share Posted March 3, 2013 Good news - it's always a little miracle to me that mine survive the winter, and it's great to see them flying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted March 9, 2013 Share Posted March 9, 2013 Mine have been out at every opportunity. They have a large willow in the apiary and the whole tree is buzzing. I lost one colony......well it's down to a few hundred bees now transferred to a nuc with a pollen patty on it. Probably hopeless but must try. It was my strongest colony with little varroa but the queen went completely off lay after Thymol and they have just dwindled away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJuff Posted March 9, 2013 Author Share Posted March 9, 2013 It's still way too cold here, 2oC and icy, snow forecast later Above 8 when the sun is shining is more favourable for my ladies. I am however still delighted they have survived the weather here up North. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted March 9, 2013 Share Posted March 9, 2013 Out in force today http:// Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJuff Posted March 9, 2013 Author Share Posted March 9, 2013 Oh what a beautiful photo. My girls have been tucked up in the hive out of the icy winds and 2oC temp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 2013 is going to be a re-run of 2012 so get the sugar in...........sigh It's the middle of May and it is 7˚ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 I looked at mine two weeks ago and they were bringing in nectar and I put a super on. I should think they've eaten it all again by now. It can't be as bad as last summer ... can it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
