Bee Scene : 41


the combs. Beekeepers are using fondant packs where required. Lower acreages of oilseed rape


are reported in the south east which will affect early build-up and honey crops. The milder weather has brought such plants as rosemary into early fl ower. In some areas, orchard land access has been made diffi cult by periods of heavy rainfall. Honey is holding a good retail price of around £5.00 per lb, with the majority of the 2014 crop sold. Beginners’ classes and association meetings are very active. Beekeepers are expressing a healthy interest in taking the British Beekeepers’ Association examinations.


England – Southern


Bee colonies in southern England are reported generally to be in good shape, with ample stores in reserve (the 2014 heavy ivy fl ow being helpful) and few colonies needing fondant packs. On the sunnier days, pollen has been incoming from mahonia and early spring fl owers. The good weather has also given the bees the chance of much needed cleansing fl ights. Varroa counts have been variable. Large acreages of oilseed rape have been planted in the region, raising the prospect of an early honey crop from this very important source. Jim Ryan led a well-attended


four-day wax workshop at the Wisborough Green apiary and is worthy of a mention. Local association membership numbers are holding up well. Some locally produced honey is still available.


England – South West


Thankfully, the south west has not experienced terrible fl ooding this winter as it did in 2014, the season thus far being described as relatively mild. Colony


April 2015 Vol 97 No 4


losses are reported as low, but surviving clusters reported as ‘variable’.


Beekeepers have completed winter mite treatments. Again, where mite counts have been taken, drops can be described as variable. Fondant packs are proving popular. Bees have been fl ying well on warmer days. Hazel, snowdrops, crocuses, primrose and rosemary are all in fl ower and returning workers laden with pollen have been noted. Very large areas of oilseed rape have been planted in the region and beekeepers are hoping for an early fl ow plus a possible early start to queen rearing activities.


Local association meetings continue to be well attended, with added interest in courses such as microscopy from beekeeping students. Some local honey remains available for sale, blossom honey fetching prices around £4.20 per lb. Our correspondent reports that there may be a shortage of Seasonal Bee Inspectors this season in the region.


Wales – South


From south Wales, our correspondent reports on a very mild and dry winter, with little or no snow. Some good bright sunny days with


temperatures around 7 °C have given the bees the opportunity to venture out.


Only small loads of pollen


have been noticed. Early spring fl owers were not yet blooming


in our correspondent’s area,


although there may be hazel catkins about. Oilseed rape plantings are usually confi ned to the Cardiff/Vale of Glamorgan area.


Cluster sizes are very strong with 7–10 seams of bees, with fondant packs on many colonies. Oxalic acid treatments have now been long completed by beekeepers and, again, in the warmer months of 2014, the MAQS® strips proved popular and effective.


Associations have shown a slight membership reduction which seems to have stabilised. Beginners’ classes and workshops are proving very popular once again, with student numbers in the 25–50 range. There could, as in many areas, be a problem fi nding mentors. 2014 is described as a fantastic honey season and there is still plenty of surplus honey available, prices in deli’s and health food outlets being in the £5.00–6.50 per lb range.


Wales – Central Region The Welsh central region


winter is described as ‘good’ by our correspondent. The very mild days have allowed the bees to fl y in large


numbers bringing in supplies of fresh pollen.


Cluster sizes


are considered ‘large’ with some hives


feeling a little on the light side giving


some concern for this time of the season. Due to the


consumption of winter stores, beekeepers are using fondant packs until nectar becomes available in the www.bee-craft.com


fi eld. Apiguard® was a preferred varroa control last Autumn. Gorse, snowdrops and spring heather are all producing pollen at the time of writing. Association numbers are holding steady, with beginners’ classes starting in February being very well subscribed. ‘More than usual’ amounts of honey are in the hands of beekeepers awaiting sale. Prices are very good, retailing in the shops at £7.50–8.00 per lb and in the markets at around £6.00 per lb.


Northern Ireland


Despite the rain and gales that intermittently battered Ulster, the winter is described as mild, the cold now giving way to sunnier days allowing the bees to fl y freely in large numbers. The 2014 season was considered an excellent year for bees and beekeepers.


Bees have been working hazel catkins for pollen, snowdrops, mahonia and gorse, with the alder not far behind. There are increasing areas of oilseed rape throughout Ulster. Associations are ‘well supported’, as are beginners’ groups. Of particular interest was ‘The Bee Day’ held in Armagh, not aimed directly at beginners but at potential beekeepers, to enable them to see if beekeeping was for them. This was very well attended. Membership of INIB, the Institute of Northern Ireland Beekeepers, is healthy and members are looking forward to a lecture by Mike Palmer from the USA. Beekeepers still have honey available but, because of anticipated demand, it is not expected to remain for long. The 2014 harvest is described as the best for several seasons. Retail prices are holding up well in the £5.00–6.50 per lb range. ♠


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