Spring 2020

All my hives appear to be alive at the start of April. There is humming in all the hives. There are bees flying and pollen on most of the removable base boards. This is great news. We've had turbulent weather since last summer -- high winds on many occasions; heavy rain through the autumn; persistent damp cold. Now spring is well underway and there are flowers and blossom.

This is still a tricky time. Spring build up can leave a colony starving. Late cold or windy weather can make colonies vulnerable. The colonies have more brood and so a greater need for heat. If they're low on stores they can starve in even a short period of cold weather. The hives are lighter too, because they have less honey in them, so they are vulnerable to high winds.

I hope that the point of greatest danger has passed.