kentuckyfried Posted February 16, 2014 Share Posted February 16, 2014 I had been worrying about my 2 nationals- not had them open since December... I hadn't seen any signs of life at all. Today, the sun was shining and warmer than it has been for ages, and I saw lots and lots of bees flying to and from both hives- I can't tell you the sense of relief! I knew they were low on food after hefting them, so I fed them too today. Fingers crossed the next couple of months are kind to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 Good to see them out and about after so long. There's only so much you can do in the work shop after all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angelmum21 Posted February 22, 2014 Share Posted February 22, 2014 Yes my bees are very active for the second day in a row thanks to the nice weather we have had on those two days. They are in a Purple Beehaus and have come through the winter fine. I have put a slab of pollen impregnated fondant on but they do not appear to be needing it which is good because it means that I calculated the stores they would need correctly - have more ready just in case. Cannot wait for a better run of weather to inspect them. Have just checked my stores and re-ordered for immediate needs and planning for later in the season. Let's hope we have a drier Spring than Winter! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 Mine aren't flying It's 12 degrees today, they weren't flying yesterday either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kentuckyfried Posted February 23, 2014 Author Share Posted February 23, 2014 Mine aren't flying It's 12 degrees today, they weren't flying yesterday either. when did you last see them? Seeing mine all of the time now- not so much today, but it has been cooler. Definately lots of life from both though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 If it's sunny and 12º they should be out....unless it's very windy I guess. I would check that the entrance is clear. Can you hear them in the hive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 I have two hives, side by side and one flies much earlier and more frequently than the other - I'm not sure if it's a more vigorous colony or whether the other hive is slightly more in the shade, but sometimes they are quiet when hive #2 is active. On a sunny day however I'd expect them both to be flying - see if you can hear anything, as OSH suggests. To be honest, there's not much you can do - if they're gone, they're gone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 My son last checked them at the end of January and said they were looking good. However I've got a bad feeling. There are a few dead bees in and around the hive. I haven't completely opened it but lifted off the top to see a few bees crawling around the spare frames that we leave in for winter, we do feed them too. I couldn't hear them buzzing. Think I might be donning the suit tomorrow, weather permitting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kentuckyfried Posted February 24, 2014 Author Share Posted February 24, 2014 let us know how you get on with that I hope they are ok. I am about to put a huge order for kit in- slightly worried about ordering the wrong thing! I need supers, and frames to go in them, foundation for cut comb and spacers and a couple of porters for later in the season. Think I am going to just do it and see what turns up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 kentuckyfried, porters are US in my opinion. Try a rhombus escape, much better and clears a super in a few hours. I've gone one further and cut a rhombus in four putting a quarter in each corner of a clearer board....works a treat. For cut comb I use either Manley frames and thin unwired foundation or better still, just a starter strip. Chickabee... best of luck. By the way, what do you mean by "spare frames that you leave in the winter"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Think I might be donning the suit tomorrow, weather permitting How did you get on ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Broke my arm, sp haven't checked them. Had a few flying, but not as many as I would have expected Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Heavens....hope you mend soonest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Hooray! They are flying Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peaches Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Lots of flying yesterday, hurrah! We are in a windy part of North Yorkshire, so big relief to see serious flying after the long, damp winter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Lovely few days and the bees are piling in crocus,snowdrop and more importantly willow that carries nectar as well. I took off all the nadired supers and they were absolutely bone dry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 Although I no longer have any bees, neighbours here in Portugal do and in fact there are hives everywhere. We have had a carpet of something like wild rocket in flower for over a month, its everywhere here under olive trees, alongside camomile and the bees work it furiously every day. In the last week of sun, almond, peach and other blossom is opening, in the numerous small orchards, so the bees are moving onto the trees, and they have also been in the camellias which grow in gardens from February, although a lot of these are double, so are more attractive to bumbles. It has felt like May and June feel in the UK in terms of the amount of activity, I'm a very interested observer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angelmum21 Posted March 15, 2014 Share Posted March 15, 2014 It was 17 degrees today here in Sussex and I checked my bees only to find a small bit of chalk brood and only two frames of brood but still lots of stores so am crossing fingers and leaving them be for now xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted March 15, 2014 Share Posted March 15, 2014 Fed ours today. They got very excited Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted March 30, 2014 Share Posted March 30, 2014 The first drones have been seen hatched around here - so swarming could start in around three weeks. Be prepared! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted March 30, 2014 Share Posted March 30, 2014 Oh no. Son back at uni will have to fake swarm without him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted March 30, 2014 Share Posted March 30, 2014 A timely reminder to remove excess stores. Two frames worth is ample for bees in the south. I'm hoping to get into mine this week for the first time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
