Observations and Optimism

So, 2024, what a year, eh?! How to describe it? I don’t think I’m alone in thinking of it as ‘wet’, and figures released by the UK Met Office, and Météo France, would agree. September was the wettest calendar month in Bedfordshire and Oxfordshire since 1836 (1), and in Paris it was the wettest year since 1886 (2). Beekeepers were presented with a set of problems – and blessings – caused by the excessive amount of rain in the first half of the year, and will take this experience into consideration for the future.

The intemperate weather caused issues with colony increase: swarming behaviour was curtailed, queen matings were compromised, and foraging was limited due to a dearth of nectar. All of these facts have meant that in some areas across the country there has been a poor honey harvest and colonies have not achieved the optimum sizes required for successful over-wintering. However, what has been tough on the bees has had a similar effect on their nemesis, the Asian hornet, and so (with a sigh of relief) beekeepers have not had to deal with the usual heavy predation from these invaders. Trapping mated Asian hornet queens in the autumn before they hibernated was therefore of utmost importance, and we now need to be ready to trap any survivors emerging from hibernation as soon as Spring arrives.

As I write this it is an unusually warm sunny winter's day and our bees are busy foraging on all the flowering ivy. The sight of pollen-laden bees flying back to the hives fills me with such hope. Although we now won’t be doing any hive inspections until the days begin to lengthen and the ambient temperature is constantly in the mid to late teens, we can be fairly confident that the bees are in a good position with brood, a queen, and plenty of stores to see them through the winter months. It can be frustrating to know you can’t take off the crown-board and just take a quick peek to check everything is as it should be, but external observations can tell you quite a bit about what’s going on in a hive. I’ve always liked the calming aspects of beekeeping (yes, there are some, honestly!) and sometimes just sitting and watching is enough. On bright dry days when the temperature is above 9c the bees will be flying and it is so relaxing (and reassuring) to see them going about their daily tasks.

 

 

I have become slightly obsessed with the slow-motion video feature on my mobile phone and have been filming returning foragers and marvelling at the detail I can see when the movement of these incredible creatures is slowed down enough to see clearly. It’s not just the foragers that you can watch either; the housekeepers will be busy clearing out any rubbish, and tidying away grains of pollen that have been dropped on the landing board of the hive. One word of warning, however: if you are going to entrance watch, either do so from a safe distance or wear your protective clothing – just because you’re not opening the hive doesn’t mean a bee, irritated by your presence, won’t sting you. I have been stung on the wrist by an ungrateful bee whilst topping up the syrup feeder!

The late winter sunshine and the sight of foraging bees fills me with a Pollyanna-like optimism for the coming year. In 2025 I will attempt to be like Mr Micawber, living in hopeful expectation, but aided by an awful lot of planning and preparation to ensure our bees start the year as healthy as possible. If you would like to begin your beekeeping adventure next year, please contact us via our website, email or give us a call. Bonne fin d’année!