September 2009

Well, it is another year of firsts for us. I did divide two big hives into nuclei, producing bees instead of honey for a while and we did take some honey off though later than usual in June. Away in August for the first time, I made sure the bees had plenty of space. However, by the beginning of September, two out of six needed feeding and the rest had about a super full or filling but not really capped, enough to see them thro the winter but no extra. So for the first time in 23 years it is unlikely that we will be removing honey now. There is a lot of variation in the region with some bees doing very well. Around here there is plenty of ivy for a late honey and the bees are flying despite the rain. There is still yellow buddleia, borage and herbs like marjoram in flower (bumble bees on runner beans and hemp agrimony) so none should starve. Doug Jones, Seasonal Bee Inspector sent a warning that some bees around the country are starving, so look at your bees and make sure they have stores and feed a 2:1 syrup if they are light. Also beware wasps robbing your hives and killing the colony. They seem to be living longer and are more of a pest now. Narrow down the hive entrance to one or two bee spaces.

When we returned home at the end of August, we realised our newly re-roofed bay contained a swarm and it probably came from one of my (plenty of space!) hives. Never had a swarm so late.

The good news is that the bees are strong and healthy

There is a huge amount of activity in the beekeeping scene this year, including sales of bee equipment, Booker Stores selling sugar at trade price to beekeepers who produce membership cards, interested people/organisations wanting information, people offering places for hives. Do look at the new Lancashire Beekeepers website at http://www.lancashirebeekeepers.org.uk

The excellent monthly Bee Craft Magazine is offering a bulk subscription and a web site www.bee-craft.com/shop  as well as its beemail@bee-craft.com – copies of all on view at the next meeting which is Saturday, 26^th September, 2.30pm at Tarbock Village Hall, Netherley Road, next to the Brickwall Inn (map available if you contact me).  Our own veteran beekeeper, Arthur Gillett will talk on his methods of beekeeping and how he prepares the bees for winter.

A disturbing email from BBKA states that, after much hard work and consultation that appears to have been disregarded by the new FERA Project Board (formerly DEFRA) the BBKA is leaving the project. Of the £10.5 million allocated to ‘pollinator decline’ only £370 thousand remains uncommitted by FERA that could be available to help honeybees. The BBKA remains committed to most of the concepts covered and wishes to work with FERA but now believes that it can achieve more by operating independently. An extremely disappointing outcome after the time and effort put in by unpaid, volunteer beekeepers. Print out available at the meeting on the 26^th.

On a lighter note, more and more people are interested in, and value, honeybees, are less afraid of them and more willing to live alongside them and bumble bees. So, once again, Good Beekeeping,

Sheila Myron

Hon. Secretary