February has started in glorious style... Sunny days and frosty nights!
After the January we have just experienced, we couldn't ask for anything better. 

In my opinion this is the best month of the year, longer days, everything waking up and for me personally it has the best skiing weather! 

Last week, I noticed the Hazel catkins out, these are food for the bees but they contain low grade pollen. Yesterday, I noticed Daffodils out at the top of the hill. Although its generally said Honey bees don't visit them, on many occasions this has been proven wrong. Then we have the Primrose, again not a primary food source but it does get visited , (the native variety as the coloured plants have no nourishment for bees).

At least the bees have something to be attracted to on the warmer days. On the warmer days, like today bees will venture out for toilet flights. Its essential that as a beekeeper you check the hive entrance isn't blocked.

As the month progresses brood rearing will increase and therefore the bees will consume an awful amount of stores. It's wise to put patties on the hives.  The club is using Candipolline Gold which has  3% pollen. The bees seem to munch through it at an alarming rate. 

No liquid feeding this month due increasing the risk of Nosema (fungal). We don't want the bees to have dysentery and a reduced lifespan of up to 50%.

In March, a syrup solution of 1 to 1 may be used.

I haven't hefted the clubs hives but I know its a way of telling how much stores the colony has. I do however have a few super frames which have capped honey. If anyone needs a frame in emergency, contact me.

All our hives are ok and the bees are ticking along nicely. No damage to report from last weekends storms.

Had a roof blow off a WBC and found a little furry under it. It's taking a huge risk living in the apiary with the Barn owl hopping from post to post. Visible most evenings.

This month is for preparing for the coming season.

The club has purchased a new Langstroth hive in the flat. I will  build that in the evenings along with putting together frames. I have also got to paint our old WBC as it needs to be operational. You will be surprised how quickly the evenings evaporate having the fire on or huddling up to the Aga planning your year.

We have purchased several double nucs for the spring splits. National, 14x12 and Langstroth.

Beginners course places are filling up. Don't be disappointed please, contact Joanne.

Also orders are being taken for spring nucs @ £175 each 
£50 deposit. Please contact Joanne to reserve one.