(Trying to) Keep it Simple

Beekeeping is never mundane.  Every year has brought its roller coaster challenges and opportunities to learn and 2022 has been no exception, with a generous mixture of good and bad events:

+ A good Spring crop
- Local rapeseed led to early crystallisation

+ One really strong colony running on brood and a half
- This colony still produced a massive Swarm, despite close inspections

+ Swarm captured !
- Half the swarm would not remain in the nuc despite a wet and cold night (2 Queens?)

+ One colony now on 5 supers
- Another has Drone Laying Queen, with remedial action being unsuccessful so far

So, an eventful year so far, but every experience is an education.
I hope your year has seen more "+" and fewer "-".  Let us know !

Gary TJ, Treasurer

My 2022 Beekeeping Season

I started the year with two colonies that over wintered well. I was intending to increase to 4 hives this season.   I captured my first ever swarm, in April and bought another swarm off Gary our Treasurer.  Both these are now in hives and developing well after a slow start. I extracted some spring honey with a lot of oil seed rape in it from my older hives which was very nice.

In May I was approached by a near neighbour who wished to have a couple of hives on their property, “To help the planet’s future”. They did not wish to become involved in the upkeep but just wanted some bees to watch from a distance while doing their bit for the environment. Sourcing bees in May proved quite difficult as last year’s nuclei had gone and this season’s not ready yet. I bought some bees from Blorenge Mountain Bees which have were hived successfully despite an  unexpected thunderstorm right in the middle of the moving process. Welsh bees are obviously used to being rained on!

I now have 6 colonies to look after, 4 on site and 2 in an out apiary, which is enough for me, as all of my equipment in now in use. My bee shed is looking rather emptier than before but has taken on a new role becoming an adventure playground for some very persistent wasps. All six hives are producing honey and I have extracted summer honey from the oldest hives again.

2022 is developing into a good year for me and hopefully for everyone else in NEWBKA.

Ed Payne
Secretary NEWBKA

A Hot Day for Honeybees with Hot Lips

Have a look our Photo Gallery for some lovely photos of bees keeping busy, despite the weather.

Photo Gallery

Have you looked at our Photo Gallery recently?
If you have any photos you'd like to share, please email them to neworcsbeekeepers@gmail.com 
All contributions are welcomed!

Next Social Meeting

 Don't forget our next Social Meeting on Monday 11th July - at the Bowling Green Inn, Shaw Lane, Stoke Prior, Bromsgrove B60 4BH

These meetings start around 7:30pm and are open and friendly get togethers, where you can talk to other bee keepers, both new and experienced.

All are welcome - including anyone who would just like to find out more about beekeeping before taking the plunge.