Overwintered nucs are on offer in the South, the East, and the West

[Patrick Laslett]

Hi All,

The bees are out and their colonies are slowly beginning to expand. The cherry plum and willow trees are in full bloom and will soon be followed by many more flowering trees and bushes. 

Unfortunately, some of you won't be enjoying your bees first flights this year after such a wet and miserable winter. For those now without bees we have members who can help. Adding to our members in Somerset, Sussex, Kent, Cheshire, and Liverpool we now have more members in Wales, Shropshire, Essex, and Hampshire offering overwintered nucs.

We are getting near to the middle of March, when we often get a few really warm days or even a warm week. Weather warm enough to do a cautious inspection. If you are keen to get in amongst your bees try not to rush it. If they have food they will be OK for a few more weeks (if the bees are taking in lots of pollen they are almost certainly OK). However, any that have plenty of bees flying in and out but are not taking pollen in - they may need your attention first.

Some beekeepers (in the South of the country) will have really strong colonies and be keen to add a super or two, although most colonies probably don't need supers until the end of March, adding supers can prevent early swarming.

Happy beekeeping

Yours,

Patrick