A fine end of season visit was had to Jock and Wilma’s heather apiary.
View of the apiary
Although it was sunny just half a mile down the valley, it was rather overcast as the first hive was opened.
If you have a coloured folder you’re in charge!
However the bees were happy enough (at first) and we had a good look at how the colonies were faring on the hills.
A brood frame
As usual, young Sam was keen to get involved.
At the heather
The hives were doing well and the honey crop was coming on with some frames fully capped.
A good frame of heather honey
We discovered some unexpected queen cells that might have been supercedure. A quick split into a nuc was demonstrated very proficiently by Wilma.
The bees were getting livelier as we made our way around. Some were doing Nasonov fanning at the entrance.
Nasonov fanning
Others were dancing on the entrance board. Keep an eye on the bee in the centre of the video.
The bees were getting a bit feisty, and that was a problem for the person who had a hole in his veil!
Pesky bees
Time to retire, in time-honoured beekeepers style, for cups of tea, cakes, salad, sausage rolls, biscuits, mead and best of all fresh pancakes with honey straight off the frame.
Honey Picnicers
So all in all an enjoyable day out to end the season.
Many thanks to Wilma and Jock for hosting.