Apiary News Winter 2023
Bees are not a hibernating species. This means they need a source of food during the winter months - that's the real purpose of their honey frames. Even with a supply of honey it is a good idea to have a supply of food on hand. That's exactly what we have done with our two hives.
Today, 28th December, I gave the hives a quick visual check for health, activity and supplies. Fondant was replenished on one of the hives (think of fondant as the super sweet frosting on a cake and you are not too far off).
We replaced the wooden crown boards with perspex versions in the autumn. This literally gives us a view on bee life without disturbing the hives too much.
Pleased to say that both our hives are active and feeding. Our Langstroth hive is as laidback as ever. Not going anywhere in a hurry but getting there. The British National hive is a more business like affair with the bees moving faster with what feels like greater purpose (apologies for the anthropomorphism).
Apiary News Late summer 2023
During the summer Ricky and myself have been checking in on our resident bees.
I'm amazed by how matter of fact they are to my dismantling their house and removing their young and food stores for a closer look;
Looks as though we have lost a queen and a few bees from the first hive - it happens. Ricky has sourced a new queen so all will be back to normality.
The movie above shows a frame that has been used for a while, quite dark wax, in contrast to the pale yellow wax and shiny honey in this frame:
All closed up and none the worse for wear, bees gathering their thoughts following my disturbance:
Term 1 we will be looking for volunteer junior bee keepers as we get the hives ready for the autumn and summer. Check back to see progress
Our Apiary Grows 2nd August 2023
Our bee population is going from strength to strength. From the starter hive collected in July, we now have an additional full hive. That takes us from around 20,000 to a population of 60,000+ Don't ask for exact numbers as I lost count around the 30,000 mark.
Under cover of darkness on the 1st August - somewhere around 10:15pm - you would have spotted a white clad figure hauling a box of agitated bees through the Reserve. All is good now though, hive 2 was introduced to their new home this morning and seem no worse for wear.
We've been busy. Alongside the additional hive, we have also doubled the area of the apiary - looking quite pastoral out there.
Here's short clip of our bees exploring the frame that will hold honey
And here's a tour around our expanded apiary
Up close inspection 19th July 2023
Well, here we are at the end point of the academic year. Lots achieved and our bee family well in place. At this time of year they benefit from a weekly check up. Pleased to say they are moving along quite nicely and starting to fill up the frames.
Here is our weekly inspection up close and personal (series of very short videos). Can you see the Red Queen?
How are we doing? 13th July 2023
After a few days rest in their temporary home, our bees have been moved into their permanent home. Giving them a few more days to get settled, it was time today to check on how they have settled. My, what a gentle bunch they are. If you have a worry about bees, this family are a pretty good way to overcome that. Despite my fumbling when checking the frames, the bees took it in good spirit and carried on with their job, raising bees and producing honey. I pleased to say that both are moving along nicely.
One of our Year 12 work experience students volunteered to film the inspection process today. If you fancy an intro into what goes on, click on this image for the high definition version.
Just fancy an ASMR moment? Click on the image below for a day in the life experience of our hive just going about their business from a bee's eye point of view:
Bee Day 3rd July 2023
Well folks, we've gone and done it. Me and Mr Ibbertson collected a colony form a local beekeeper on the 2nd July and here we welcome them to our Reserve for their first full day
Getting down to Beesness at Big Bang 2023
On the 22nd June, 5 of our students represented NTC at the Big Bag Competition 2023. We were selected as finalists in the Stantec Developing Communities Award. Unfortunately, we did not win (pipped at the post by an entry from Mayfield Grammar).
The day was a fantastic success with our students discussing the work carried out on our Reserve and the plans for our Apiary. It was a long and very hot day but well worth it.
Undaunted, NTC will be back at the Big Bang in 2024 - bigger and better.
All about bees here!
May 2023 Update
Getting ready for the bees