On the back of the short online discussion on 19th Feb, here is an article from the archives entitled.. First Inspection of the Year
The first inspection of the year should be done on a sunny, calm, warm day
(personally I think at least 12-14 degrees C) when the bees are flying well. Under 12
degrees, and the most I would do in March is check that they have enough food,
remove the mouse guards and try to brush away dead bees from the front of the
entrances. You want to be prepared as you are going to try to be quick so as not to
chill the brood so you want to have anything you might need to hand. Further, you
may decide to leave some of these suggestions until the next time if the weather isn't
ideal. As ever you are thinking FEDS - Food, Eggs, Disease and Space.
Ideally, I would take:
1. A spare clean hive or at least a spare clean floor. Some hives might have
mould and the floor is likely to have dead and possibly rotting bees at best. If
you don't have a spare floor, bring a brush to take the worst off.
2. Spare drawn comb or clean dummy boards to replace any really manky comb
you find in there. It may be necessary to use clean foundation.
When you first arrive at the hive, check to see if the bees are bringing in pollen as a
first indication of brood being present. Also check the floor insert if you are using one
to assess the position of the colony and the likely presence of pests.
Food -You need to check for stores as colonies are vulnerable in the spring as brood
rearing increases and there are fewer adult bees than in summer but the weather
and forage are less certain. I feed if in doubt and this could be either fondant or a
light sugar syrup.
Eggs- you are looking for signs that the queen is there i.e. worker brood in some
stages. If there is only drone brood, you have a problem. You do not need to find the
queen although the small size of the coolony makes it quite likely that you will see her.
Go very carefully with her as there will not be many drones about yet if you need to
replace her.
Disease - You want to look out for signs of disease. Chalkbrood is common as you
come out of winter so read up on it before you go so you can recognise it. Deformed
wing virus could indicate a varroa problem which will only get worse as egg-laying
increases so don’t ignore it but remember that chilled brood can also cause wing
deformities so consider both. Nosema is very common as colonies have been
cooped up. If you want to check if your bees have it, you can send a sample of bees
to SASA Bee Health SASA (Science & Advice for Scottish Agriculture).
Space – Is there enough space for the colony to expand.
If your colony has died completely, you would want to try to determine the
cause of death but do not leave it open in situ. Seal the entrance so that other
bees cannot go in to investigate or rob it.
Author unknown
We had a wee scheduling blip for our February Meeting so the meeting of the 19th Feb has been reset for March.
Our next winter talk is a ZOOM meeting and is on Thursday 6th March at 7.30pm by Jack Silberrad , it is titled "99p or EFB"!
The meeting Link is on Facebook, email or in the members section on the website
Jacks Linkedin profile is as follows....
Professional interests include queen rearing, domestic and international marketing, pollen identification, disease and biosecurity of bees, and carpentry.
-Third generation beekeeper with 1st class microbiology degree
- 5 years commercial beefarming experience,
- Commercial experience managing 400 colonies with the London Honey Company, 750 double-queen colonies with New Zealand-based Manuka Island Honey Limited.
-Distinction grade Diploma in Excellence in Beefarming, Autumn 2020.
-Dynamic apiarist that seeks to evolve and adapt improved husbandry and practice.
-Passionate speaker: Teaching, conducting tastings, representing myself or host London Honey Company at events for organisations including:
Kino Cinema, Radio 4, V and A - QEST, DEFRA UK, APHA, Fortnum and Mason, Cambridge Beekeepers Association, UK Department for International Trade, Bees Needs Week, British Beefarmer's Association
Petasites (Butterbur)
A New Year observation from Pam & Roger.... Spring is just around the corner!!
The Petasites are in flower. If it were warm enough for the bees to go on a cleansing flight this would be their first forage of the year as they love them.
DIARY
FEBRUARY
Wednesday 19th - This meeting is now the 6th March.
MARCH
Thursday 6th- 7.30pm on Zoom, Jack Sillberrad will give a talk entitled "99p or EFB"
Wednesday 19th - 7.30pm Bron and David Wright will come to speak to us at St Clements Hall about 'Bees and Trees'.
APRIL
Wednesday16th - 7.30pm AGM and Quiz, St Clements Hall
MAY
Sunday 25th - An Apiary visit to Inverewe! We are invited to a meeting at Kirsty WIlliams' apiary in the wild flower meadow opposite the Inverewe gardens on May 25th (Sunday) at 2.00pm. We can park at Inverewe and the restaurant will be open for refreshments after the visit. No restrictions on numbers as there will be plenty of space.
https://kirstywilliamsbees.wixsite.com/thebritishbeecompany
Galleries Honey Delights 27/11/24
On any galleries of images on this website, click an image to enlarge it and then use the arrows to view them.
The "Latest news" column will be regularly updated with what's new for the Association.
We will continue to keep you up to date with emails. Feel free to use our Facebook page to communicate with your fellow members.
Recent events
Thursday 23rd January 7.30pm
Alan Riach from SBA will gave an interesting and entertaining talk entitled "Beekeeping - My Methods and Experiments". This ZOOM meeting was recorded so may be available for members to watch
Wednesday 27th November 7.30pm
Caroline MacKenzie gave an entertaining presentation entitled "Honey Delights". There were many flavoured honeys along with the many 'add ins' that can be used to suit your palate. Barbara Gray gave a short demo on honey butter.
After the presentations there were lots of tastings of the different honeys, butters and also some of the honey samples that members brought to add to the mix.
Jo Young did a short presentation on the candle moulds that the association have for members use.
Certificates were presented to a number of members who completed their Basic Bee Keeping Certificate.
Saturday 19th 2.00pm Candle Making with David Edes. David ran a candle making workshop for up to 8 members.
Thursday 10th October - Angie gave a talk to Primary 6/7 classes at Avoch Primary School.
Saturday 5th October - D&DBKA Honey Show - judge was Alan Riach, Education Officer, SBA. Held at Munro's Nurseries, Munlochy.
Wednesday 18th September - Arthur Hill gave a short talk on 'A Victor Meldrew vision of modern beekeeping' before introducing Clifford Smith, our friendly Environmental Health Officer who talked about safely processing our honey. Caroline Mackenzie will then give a chat about preparation and tips for the Honey Show.
Saturday 7th September - Feil Maree - a community event in Dingwall. Photos available in Gallery.
Saturday 24th August - Black Isle Food and Drink Festival - a well-attended demonstration of honey-associated products conducted by Caroline Mackenzie and Barbara Gray. Photos available in Gallery.
Friday 9th August - Barbara Gray hosted a meeting on the subject of assessing varroa levels and treatment options. Photographs, courtesy of Angie and David, are available here and in the Gallery.
Monday 5th August - Angie gave a talk to the Fortrose Guides. Photograph in Gallery.
Saturday 27th July- Arthur Hill's apiary at Scatwell. Refreshments were made available at the Community Centre for a donation to the community. It was great to be able to enjoy the conditions and get to socialise on this, the first outdoor session of the year - remarkable!
Saturday 29th June- Kay Liston Apiary visit - Loch Carron. Again another indoor chat due to poor conditions.
Wednesday 19th June - Jo and Stuart Young Apiary visit, Aigas. Poor conditions so an indoor chat.
Friday 31st May- Barbara Gray held a 2nd session for Beginners at her Culbokie Apiary.
Wednesday/Thursday 29th/30th MayThe Association was invited by RHET to provide educational sessions for some S1 children on at the Black Isle Showground for Primary 5-7 on the Importance of Pollinators to Food Production.
Friday 17th May - Barbara Gray hosted a session for Beginners at her Culbokie Apiary.
Tuesday 14th May The Association was invited by RHET to provide educational sessions for some S1 children at Fortrose Academy on 14th May on Food.
Saturday 27th April AGM of SBA - Spectrum Centre, Inverness. Our Association and Inverness-shire co-hosted the event at the Spectrum Centre in Inverness. The SBA AGM business will take place in the morning and there was 3 talks in the afternoon with something to interest all beekeepers.
Saturday 20th April 10am-4pm at Culloden Baptist Church, Wellside, Balloch IV2 7GS. Andrew Card of Loch Ness Honey organised a visit from Abelo with their Equipment Trade Show. We were delighted with our reception at the Show, meeting members and prospective new members and spending more money than intended! Thanks, Andrew Card.
Memberships are renewed as from the April AGM. A link to the membership/ renewal form can be found on the "Joining the Association" page. A new password will be forwarded to you by the Membership Secretary.