Betty

Disaster in the hive - the queen bee has disappeared. We don't know whats happened but with no queen there is no egg laying so no new workers and even a busy healthy hive begins a slow decline. So Maurice goes off to see bee-keeper Robin Dartington who gives him a new queen. (See her picture opposite). She wont be accepted immediately  as each hive has a distinct "scent" so she has to be introduced carefully, initially protected in a small plastic cage. Lets see how she gets on.

We had an artificial swarm imposed upon us on march 8th. It was a lovely spring day when all the old comb in the brood nest was swapped for new wax foundation. It didnt knock us back as we have come through winter well and just a month later, the unseasonally warm April weather has led to queen cells being made in anticipation of a swarm. The beekeeper has his workcut out to prevent half the hive absconding in this way! Global warming is confusing to everybody, especially bees.

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You are SO beautiful Betty