Category Archives: Uncategorized

A Bath Bumblebee

Posted on March 12, 2012 by Emily Scott

I’ve missed beekeeping this weekend as we were away celebrating Drew’s 30th birthday in Bath. It was a beautiful day for the “Bath Half”, an annual half-marathon through the city centre, and whilst waiting for Drew’s mum to finish the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | 4 Comments

The bees in March

Posted on March 4, 2012 by Emily Scott

After a chilly start, yesterday grew into a surprisingly warm and sunny day. The bees were going crazy. Today has been a definite umbrella day, wet and windy. That’s British weather for you. The pic below shows Rosemary’s bees zooming … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | 14 Comments

Bee Keepers’ Day part 2 – Improve your bees and beekeeping-simply

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Emily Scott

A second post carrying on from my previous on this weekend’s Federation of Middlesex Beekeepers’ Associations annual ‘Bee Keepers’ Day‘. Our second speaker was Roger Patterson, advertised simply as a “Sussex beekeeper of great practical ability”. He will be well known … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Snowy days, snowy bees

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Emily Scott

We have in Ealing what I’m sure Phillip and his bees over at the Mud Songs blog in Newfoundland, Canada would think of as a light dusting of snow, a mere icing sugar like sprinkling. Personally I am enjoying it. … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | 18 Comments

National Bee Unit annual report 2011

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Emily Scott

Found via the Ealing Association’s Secretary Andy Pedley, who does a very good e-newsletter for us all. The report is available online from the Beebase News page. The National Bee Unit inspectors are funded by the UK government to provide a … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

More signs of spring

Posted on January 22, 2012 by Emily Scott

They’re finding pollen now!  A sign that the queen is likely to be laying, as pollen is used to feed brood (as well as being eaten by young adult bees). They should have some pollen stores in the frames but … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | 8 Comments

January apiary visit

Posted on January 15, 2012 by Emily Scott

Visited the apiary for a quick check on the hives today. I also found something else I have been waiting for… Snowdrop shoots peeking out from the ground. I also saw crocus leaves. Spring is coming! There was not much … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments

Bee ‘macro’ photos

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Emily Scott

I follow a lot of blogs by extremely good nature photographers (Garden Walk Garden Talk springs to mind; there are many others). This makes me very conscious that I am not among them. However, here are a few bee macro … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 10 Comments

Drizzling oxalic acid on bees

Posted on January 1, 2012 by Emily Scott

Not a cookery recipe but an anti-varroa treatment commonly used in the UK during December or January whilst the bees are clustering and little or no brood is present. The reason for doing the oxalic acid treatment at this time … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 15 Comments

3rd Honey bee Management revision post: the criteria used in the selection of apiary sites

Posted on December 30, 2011 by Emily Scott

A 3rd revision post for the British Beekeeping Association’s Module 1 exam, Honey bee Management, which I’m taking in March. Onto 1.7 on the syllabus: “The Candidate shall be able to give a detailed account of:- 1.7: the criteria used in the selection of … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | 9 Comments