The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Bees & Beekeeping => Topic started by: Sudanpan on March 16, 2014, 08:17:09 pm

Title: Spring pollen gathering
Post by: Sudanpan on March 16, 2014, 08:17:09 pm

Our bees from the 2 hives at the top of the field were very busy yesterday in the lovely spring weather  :thumbsup:


I think the yellow pollen is from willow and the bright orange from crocus
Really hoping I don't mess up this year and lose any swarms cos I would really really really like to be able to harvest some honey for the 1st time in 3 years!

Title: Re: Spring pollen gathering
Post by: HesterF on March 16, 2014, 09:02:24 pm

Great photos! It's certainly been a good day for bees.

Title: Re: Spring pollen gathering
Post by: sss on March 16, 2014, 09:24:09 pm

It was  a lovely day to get up and watch the b's working. Hopefully you will get some honey this year, the first decent harvest is always cool.

Title: Re: Spring pollen gathering
Post by: Beeducked on March 17, 2014, 06:05:08 pm

Wonderful watching them fly in the spring sunshine, isn't it? ;D


I managed to waste hours of the weekend just watching them. Saw at least 4 different colours of pollen going in. There is still a little bright red stuff from the last of the snowdrops and some pale greyish pollen from the helleborus. Also a couple of shades of yellow, I think at least some from the catkins and there is quite a bit of blackthorn flowering so guessing some from that too.


Good luck for the honey harvest.

Title: Re: Spring pollen gathering
Post by: cloddopper on March 18, 2014, 07:32:09 pm

This link to the Sheffield bee keepers has a great pollen recognition chart that they allow others to use , have fun with it .