This now includes the full story of the rescue and will be updated with developments.

This link will take you to a BBC news item on using remote monitoring to help honey bees.

This link will take you to the appropriate page.

Because all Members log on with "Member" the system does not inform the webmaster of your email address so although I know an attempt has been made I can not make contact. I have therefore added a note at the top of the Log in screen advising that the link to "webmaster" be used instead. That will enable me to make contact.

Click here for details.

This link will take you to notes/video links prepared by the SBA om preventing swarms. A member has already reported a colony swarmng which was safely captured and re-housed.

A new page "Don't Panic" has been added to the menu detailing the appearance of these mites in a colony of honey bees.

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

The "Swarm Control" notes and supporting slide show are now available in the [LIBRARY] and can be accessed either directly or through the link in the [MEMBERS ONLY] page. There are supporting documents on swarm control methods available in the Library. Two refer to the Demaree method and the other refers to "hive split into a nuc box".

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

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

This link will take you to BBC News website.