Recent content by Pendragon

I love my polyhive and i have noticed during the past few months the bees in it were active earlier and continued flying later than the two wooden hives next to the poly. There could be other variables obviously but I am convinced it is the hive material. They were just outside a patio door so...

Moved the garden hives to an out apiary last night. The garden seems very empty this morning. New neighbours are gardening the neglected patch at the extreme bottom of their garden. They are lovely people. The bees didn't like the rotavator! The neighbours are happy for them to come back after...

My Hilton friend says they are still there tho morning. The weather I cold n windy.

I left an answer message with the local bk association. Hopefully someone will get them.Their swarm coordinator is on holiday. They were hanging in the tree at 9.30'pm.

A friend has just sent me a picture of a very large swarm in tinsel Brooke, hilton, Derbyshire if anyone can collect it. Very low in an ornamental tree in a front garden. I have no spare hives now.

I was in similar position earlier. I added some sealed almost ready to emerge brood from the strong hive and then added a bought queen. They are both going well now.

:iagree: Lol! If only I had done it.

Me too!

I am a young grandparent! I still have a teenage son at home and he, his friends and my 5 grandchildren all enjoy playing in my garden when visiting, even with a bee hive present. My garden is not large but I have taken care to try to keep the low part of the flight path of the bees away from...

Hi, I am not too far from you. Look on the South Staffs Bee Keepers website for contact details. I did their beginners course last year and I would recommend it. Lots of bee keepers recommend the book 'Bees & Honey' by Ted Hooper MBE - make sure you buy the updated edition. Good luck.

Welcome. I did the SSBKA course last year - I really enjoyed it. A very dedicated team. The weather played havoc with the apiary days, we had to be very patient before we could do the hands on experiences!

:icon_204-2: So true! I am thankful for the hour by hour weather forecasting online - I have found it useful to pick the best hour of a bad bunch, to go for an inspection on a non-perfect day.

Great lists from everyone. My favourite buy is the polycarbonate quilt so I can see what's going on before opening up . Also after using cheap gloves and getting stung through them, I invested in some leather gauntlets and I wouldn't be without these now. Wellies are essential even on a hot...

Marvellous timing!

A few bees flying today, yesterday and Friday when the sun was at its highest. It has been mostly bright sunshine here. The hive is insulated. Pen