[Hagrid61]

Hi everyone,
Just thought I'd let you all know, our two new colonies are coming on in leaps and bounds.
Three weeks on from getting them and I have had to put supers on top of both.
The warm weather and bits of sun between showers and the girls are out and gathering, a fantastic sight to just sit and watch in the early evenings with a glass of wine in hand, listening to the contented buzz.

 

[Sudanpan]

That's great news 


Having panicked about my small new nucleus I have been soooo relieved to see the comings and goings of the workers, out and about in the sun in the last couple of days.

[Small Farmer]

Great.  Good news


Just remember that the moment you think you know what's going on in there they'll surprise you and do something else!

[Hagrid61]

I have been warned bees are easy to keep when its all going okay ....BUT when things start to go wrong ....................I'll be back on here asking for advice and help

[Moleskins]

I have been warned bees are easy to keep when its all going okay ....BUT when things start to go wrong ....................I'll be back on here asking for advice and help

It becomes rocket science ......
But that's what makes it so interesting.

[Beeducked]

Great.  Good news


Just remember that the moment you think you know what's going on in there they'll surprise you and do something else!

Ain't that the truth!

[pottsie]

Had a lot of surprises this year it's all true even a keeper with 30 years in whos helping me hasn't known a few bits. Got an old book from 70s and thats helped loads.

[Plantoid]

Had a lot of surprises this year it's all true even a keeper with 30 years in whos helping me hasn't known a few bits. Got an old book from 70s and thats helped loads.
 
 OI  !  it's not that old  .
 
 A good book is by a guy called Ted Hooper or simlar name , " Guide to bees & Honey ".
 
 It's where I learnt most of my craft from when I started back in 1996 after ploughing through Manley , Llangstroth , Smith , Snellgrove & Brother Adam from Buckfast Abbey  and many many others .
 
Luckily I found a guy with 26 yrs experience & 40 over wintering hives  who had come along the same route as my mentor . He helpled me  get past the near witchcraft methods people were using to try and get honey from stingy little insects called honey bees..

[pottsie]

Sorry i didn't mean that the 70's was that long ago, just meant the book was old being 40 years old. The book is the same one by Ted Hopper as you mentioned, not like some of the modern rubbish iv'e read.
 
Rob.

[Beeducked]

I love the Ted Hooper book.

[Hagrid61]

Bees very busy today, 
 I have just had to artificially swarm one hive to prevent them doing it themselves, the hive and super were full almost to overflowing with about five queen cells.
 As per normal they got their own back on me only one sting though, nearly in my butt.
Other hive plodding along nicely not as busy as the first.
 Just got to keep my eye on the new hive for a while now to make sure they are Ok in their new home.
 Hope this warm weather continues its is fabulous over here at the moment.

[Hagrid61]

I can't believe it the new hive in which I placed three deep frames (on Monday last) from my existing busy hive has now got a further six deep frames filled with honey and pollen waiting for the a Queen to emerge from one of the Queen cells. I going to have to place a super on it tomorrow.

The original hive Queen still actively laying larvae with new bees emerging. They have calmed down now and are happily getting on producing honey.

Third hive still plodding along, now with a super in place.