Editorial and Contents : 3 7
The Flight Guidance Mechanisms of Swarms
17
Oilseed Rape Honey
36
Anaphylaxis in
Beekeeping From the Editor
I don’t know about you, but here it continues to be bitterly cold even though the sun is shining and there are blue patches in the sky. Some of the brave bees have been fl ying but most of them are staying tucked up inside their hives. However, especially with the rate that the year is whizzing by, it will soon be time to begin regular brood nest inspections and then, before we know it, they will be swarming. We have swarm prevention advice from Dinah Sweet (page 24). Now is the time to make sure you
know what you are going to do and have all the necessary spare equipment ready. If necessary, you can buy it at the BBKA Spring Convention at Harper Adams University on 17–19 April. In my fi rst season, I made a hive. I well remember the panic as I was frantically nailing the roof together while the bees were developing queen cells. Don't put yourself in this position. Be a good boy scout or girl guide and ‘Be Prepared’. Talking about swarming, have you ever thought about how the swarm actually knows where to go? It is only the scout bees which have been exploring, found suitable cavities and know where they are. As well as indicating the direction and distance to the new home, we now know that they actually guide the swarm while it is in the air. We are privileged to include an article by one of the world’s leading bee researchers, Professor Tom Seeley, from Cornell University, New York, who, together with Ann Chilcott from Scotland, explains how it all happens (page 7). Another eminent beekeeper writing for us this month is Willie Robson of Chain Bridge Honey Farm in Northumberland. Willie has vast beekeeping experience gleaned throughout his life and he shares his thoughts about dealing with oilseed rape honey on page 17.
COVER:
A virgin queen emerges. (Photo: Bertalan Lorincz. April’s winner in our cover photo competition –
www.blessedbees.co.uk)
We all react to being stung. We also know that some people can be allergic and suffer from anaphylactic shock which can be fatal. Are you ready to take the necessary emergency action if it should happen to someone with you in the apiary, or, indeed to yourself? Registered nurse Andrea Woolley runs training courses for beekeeping associations and gives advice on page 36.
Looking forward to a bumper crop in 2015, how about keeping track of how much your hive weighs from your living room? The Arnia system is described on page 29. It is much more accurate than hefting!
Commercial beekeeper John Hoskin has been in touch with correspondents around the British Isles and presents a round up of the beekeeping scene on page 39. Here’s hoping the oilseed rape and other crops yield as anticipated.
Claire Waring, Editor Contents
5 Around the Colony 7
The Flight Guidance Mechanisms of Honey Bee Swarms
Tom Seeley and Ann Chilcott
13 Using a Swarm Box Clive de Bruyn
17 Oilseed Rape Honey Willie Robson
19 Bee Plant of the Month: Horse Chestnut
Bridget Beattie April 2015 Vol 97 No 4
21 Frames and Foundation: Part 3 Jenny and Wally Shaw
24 What to Do About Swarming Dinah Sweet
29 Hive Scales Sandra Kordić Evans
32 A Year on a Honey Farm: April Duncan Simmons
36 Anaphylaxis in Beekeeping Andrea Woolley
www.bee-craft.com
39 Bee Scene John Hoskin
42 The ‘B’ Kids 44 Letters to the Editor 45 Classified Advertisements 46 Calendar
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