Tag Archives: research

Swarming from the bees’ perspective

Posted on October 15, 2019 by

My notes from our second talk by Scottish bee farmer Tony Harris at Cornwall Beekeepers Association/West Cornwall Beekeepers Association ‘Bit of a Do’ conference this September. I’ve read books on swarm behaviour and studied it for the BBKA’s module exams, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Events, Swarms | Tagged | 13 Comments

Neonicotinoid pesticides and bees

Posted on October 8, 2019 by

The second speaker at our annual Cornwall Beekeepers Association/West Cornwall Beekeepers Association ‘Bit of a Do’ conference in September was Dr Ben Woodcock, from the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH), on ‘Neonicotinoid pesticides and bees’.  Ben is an Ecological Entomologist … Continue reading →

Posted in Events | Tagged , | 8 Comments

US and UK honey bee colony survival rates

Posted on August 1, 2019 by

I saw some new data come out recently on US and UK overwintering rates so thought I would take a look at it. It’s probably impossible to compare the two countries though, because the climate, diseases and scale of commercial … Continue reading →

Posted in beekeeping, Uncategorized | Tagged | 19 Comments

How many honey bees are there? A 2019 update.

Posted on January 14, 2019 by

A year ago I wrote a post titled ‘How many honey bees are there?‘, after a question on Quora got me intrigued about whether any kind of data exists on worldwide honey bee numbers. Would anyone really have counted? Well, it … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | 27 Comments

Notes from a talk by Norman Carreck – colony losses, native bees, pollen diversity and the small hive beetle

Posted on March 4, 2016 by

Yesterday I went to a talk by Norman Carreck, which was organised by the London Beekeepers Association (LBKA). One of the great things about being a beekeeper in London is being able to hear expert speakers like Norman. He is currently Science Director of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Events | Tagged | 14 Comments

Middlesex Federation Day Part 2: Pam Hunter, How nutrition affects colony health

Posted on February 29, 2016 by

My second post on the Federation of Middlesex Beekeepers’ Associations annual ‘Federation Day‘. Below are my notes from the second speaker, Pam Hunter. Pam is a Master Beekeeper who has been keeping bees for over 25 years. She is now … Continue reading →

Posted in Events | Tagged , | 13 Comments

Middlesex Federation Day Part 1: Professor Field, Why do we use insecticides?

Posted on February 24, 2016 by

Yesterday I went to the Federation of Middlesex Beekeepers’ Associations annual ‘Federation Day‘. Each year the Middlesex associations (Ealing, Enfield, Harrow, North London, Pinner & Ruislip) take it in turn to host a day of beekeeping talks; this year the … Continue reading →

Posted in Events | Tagged | 13 Comments

Middlesex Beekeepers’ Day Part 2: David Aston, Plants and honeybees

Posted on February 26, 2014 by

A follow-up post to ‘Middlesex Beekeepers’ Day – Terry Clare, Queen rearing for the average beekeeper‘. Below are my notes from Dr David Aston’s talk. David is President of the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA), a Master Beekeeper and holder of … Continue reading →

Posted in Bee biology, Disease prevention | Tagged , , | 26 Comments

BL Talk science 26th June 2013 – Pollinators and pesticides: is there a plan bee?

Posted on July 2, 2013 by

Last week I went to a British Library evening event on pollinators and pesticides, which took a look at whether pesticides are the real culprit for the decline in bee numbers. The event only cost £5 and it included free wine … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | 30 Comments

A Future Without Bees – a talk at the Southbank Centre

Posted on June 2, 2013 by

I was lucky enough to be given free tickets to this debate on ‘A Future Without Bees‘ at the Southbank Centre by artist Amy Shelton, who has been contributing to events there as part of the London Literature Festival. Amy’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Urban beekeeping | Tagged , | 39 Comments