Click here to access details of Thorne Sale 10 -19 April.

I'm just beginning to realise that this spring could be one of those springs that brings about a big increase in damaged wing syndrome. The emergence of this condition is due to cold snaps like the one we are now experiencing where the colonies are not strong enough to properly cover the brood for warmth, and as the last parts of the bee to develop are its wings and these are easily damaged by the cold.

Damaged wing syndrome can also be caused by varroa and when a beekeeper with modest knowledge sees this could immediately panic and treat for varroa.

An expert from the SBA years ago caused chaos by telling some novices to treat for for varroa as D.W.S was caused by varroa and treatment should be made immediately totally ignoring the main factor.

The beekeeper on seeing this syndrome should put a varroa insert in the hive and check the varroa drop count after 5 days. If the count is low  just let the bees carry on and they will, after a while, sort things out. The affected bees will in no doubt just carry on doing household chores until they die.

Hope that this is of use for you to use. Kindest regards and stay safe. Arthur

Click here. Hopefully this link works - I have never seen such an horrendous URL!

This link will give you details of a request for information from SASA.

This link will take you to BBC News website.

I am sure you'll find this interesting. 

As promised I have updated the history of the Association by creating a separate item on the menu. Within this page are links to galleries of photographs of the 50th and 60th assumed anniversaries of the Association. 

A recent conversation has reminded me of the existence of a digital copy of the booklet we produced to celebrate our assumed 60th Anniversary in 2006. It is no longer in print but can be viewed here. 

We had assumed that the Association started after the Second World War but this extract from the Ross-shire Journal "88 years ago" (date unknown but could be 2013 if I have done the maths properly) showed that we were mistaken. "Friday, 8th June, 1925 - At a meeting in Dingwall it was decided to form a a local Beekeepers' Association. A membership of between 40 and 50 was expected. Officials appointed were: Hon. president, Mrs Davidson of Tulloch; Hon. vice-president, Dr. Pender Smith; president, Mr D. Macdonald, Millcraig Road; vice-president, Mr. W. Simclair, Athole Court; secretaryand treasurer, Mr. Alex Fraser, Wyvis Terrace.

Hopefully I can find time to make up a Gallery of the photos taken at the 50th and 60th Anniversary parties.

There is new legilastion taking place regoarding the reporting of varroa.

These two links will give plemty of detail.

Link to SBA document.

Link to Scottish Government Policy document.

Click here for the latest from SBA.

Please see the "Links>>" page for the latest recommended site dealing with Pollination - heavily biased towards American conditions.

I came across this in my BBC Wildlife magazine March 2021 Vol 39 No 03 The article was very short and not as full as this document, but it might make for interesting reading.

Pam and I were keeping ourselves amused compiling this simple puzzle.

The Members Only>> page contains further advice on acquiring bees with the warning of the increasing risk that imported bees run the extra risk of introducing EFB into the Highlands.

I am still struggling to see how to get the best out of the Blog feature. My latest thinking, having been guided by a non-computing fan(!), is to click on Index as the starting point to see a date order list of submissions.

Webmaster.