There was a good turnout of beekeepers old and young for the apiary visit on 31st July.
The threatened rain stayed at bay and it was pleasantly warm for inspections.
We split into 2 groups to assess all the colonies.
The 5 original colonies (or their offspring for those that swarmed) are all confirmed now to have laying queens.
Hives 1 and 2 are going steady. Hive 3 is still small and still needs feeding. Hives 4 and 5 are filling 2 supers – that will be one for them and with a bit of luck 1 for the association.
Of the 5 new nucs, 2 have just gone to Kailzie gardens and are settling in there well. The 3 remaining nucs are all expanding nicely. The queens are easy to spot since they are marked with numbered plastic disks. One of them is a bit behind the others and still needs supplementary feeding. These 3 colonies are hopefully going to go to a site near Broughton.
The last colony to be inspected was the large hived swarm. This is doing well and needs a super because it’s sale and move has been postponed.
All in all the colonies are faring well. The next inspection is scheduled for Sunday 14th August 1.30pm