Ranald visited the apiary on the 28th May since the weekend visit was a washout. Here is his report:-

Hive 1: (nearest the sheds)A  small amount of activity at the door, I didn’t see any pollen going in.I hefted the hive and it felt quite light.

Hive 2:Lots of activity at the door, pollen going in.Hive feeling heavy.

Hive 3:Lots of activity at the door, pollen going in.Tallest of the hives, didn’t heft it.Screwed metal brackets round back corners of the base,to help stabilize the hive.  

Hive 4: (no number on outside)A small amount of activity at the door , didn’t see any pollen going in.Hive quite light

Poly Nuc:Some activity at the door, pollen going in.

15^th May 2019 1.30pm

(Provisional)

Leader: Jim Bell

Exact date and time will be confirmed by email.

Please contact Mandy Tel: 01721 720563 Mob: 07563 185993 beforehand for details so you can be notified of any changes to the schedule due to weather or other circumstances.

Our regular visit to inspect the association colonies.

All welcome, particularly beginners.

Clean beesuits, gloves and footwear are required. Suits are available to borrow on request.

Very cold day, too cold to go through the colonies properly, but David Ferguson notes the following:

4 colonies, few flying due to the cold weather of the last 10 days.

Fondant was put on Hives 1 and 2; it would be worth having some fondant handy at the next visit, in case hives 3 and 4 need some. Hive 1 needs an excluder.

Hive 3 was rather grumpy on the previous visit, but seemed OK on 5^th May. There were some mouse droppings in Hive 3 (?), but it was noted in the hive record sheet.

All the varroa boards had nice wax cappings over them, some pollen and DF only saw a couple of varroa mites in one hive, which was noted in the record sheet. All the varroa trays were cleaned off, and all 4 hives have one in still.

Sheds: AC

New hive record sheets are in one of the sheds, in a blue plastic folder.

Beware of wasps – you may find them in the empty hives, and there were 3 small binks started in the sheds, these were removed. We should get some draught excluder to cover the edges of the doors, to try to prevent access by wasps and mice. Can anyone suggest a suitable one?

Next visit:

Draught excluder

Fondant (AC has some ready for use)

Queen excluder (and possibly super??) on hive 1

If weather good, dismantle Hive 3 and set it more securely on its base

5^th May 2019 1.30pm

Cancelled due to cold weather