Blogs

The Spring 2015 edition of the Forager is out - unfortunately winter came and went without a Forager, and so nearly did spring. But seeing as it is only just starting to feel like summer here's the spring edition being delivered just in the nick of time and I hope you enjoy it. This is Anna's last one but she's handing the baton over to Rod Parker who will do a fantastic job of continuing this much loved magazine. 

LASI at Sussex ask for donations; Plants for Bees 27 July and Integrated Varroa Management 7-8 Aug, Cambridge have a fee paying weekend on pollination starting 26 June.

Swarming is well underway, and improving weather in June may see more. Make sure you don't lose half your colony with regular inspections and swarm control, notes from recent session are available. Swarms are being collected, if members want to start or expand with a swarm, prepare your hive and get your name on the swarm list with Bill. There will almost certainly be swarms for all members who want them in the next month or so.

Local beekeepers in Harrow often have honey for sale but finding them is a bit hit and miss. There are some regular shows such as the May Day coming up at Headstone Manor and the annual show but otherwise it's who you might know or see if you come along to the apiary on a Sunday. There's a new link to the top left where you can see a video made by Robert Curati and a list of beekeepers who usually have some honey for sale.

Next education day is Swarm Control and Bee Disease on 10th May. We hope everyone who saw Mufeed and Nabaa enjoyed their talk on bees in Iraq, now you know where Al Sider honey is from. Some of the notes and photos will be added here later. The weather wasn't ideal for marking bees, and there are few drones about so far, that session will be rescheduled.

April 12th is set to be a busy session at the apiary. Mufeed and Nabaa will be talking about Beekeeping in Iraq and if the weather is kind Jo will be leading a practical session on marking and clipping queens.

Easter doesn’t prevent a working party being held at Hatch End on Sunday at 11:00 as an added incentive there will also be an Easter Egg hunt!  There are plenty of chocolate eggs going to be given away. Judy adds that the working Party is compulsory ... just don’t think you can turn up just for the eggs!

The formal 2 weeks for the Beginners course ended with the weather (only just) warm enough to peek inside a hive or two. Next up is Artificial Swarms and Diseases on 10 May. This session is open to all members. In the meantime, all are welcome to the apiary every Sunday for bee chat and a look in the hives if the sun shines.

Next event is March 29th.... second hand equipment sale date and other beekeeping paraphernalia

There are still several Spring Bee Auctions held annually around the country and if nothing else, they give an idea what an overwintered colony is worth each year and indirectly what the winter survival rates were like. If they include live bees, they will have a schedule for delivery of lots and inspections by the local RBI or SBI before the auction opens to the public. Some of the well established ones are at Lincoln 28th March, West Sussex 25th April and Gloucester 9th May.

Next training day for members is on Sunday 8th March at 11:00 when Bill Fitzmaurice will be talking about wax preparation.