VOLUME 102 NUMBER 4 APRIL 2020


Who would dare to predict any season, let alone this one? Things are changing so fast on the global front because of coronavirus that we won’t dare say anything about the future, except that we hope you keep well.


We write this minutes aſter learning that the BBKA Spring Convention and the Yorkshire BKA Spring Conference have been cancelled. Also, the 2020 International Meeting of Young Beekeepers in Slovenia has been postponed for one year.


Stephen Fleming and Richard Rickit Co-editors editor@bee-craſt.com


We know that the bee community will be very disappointed but completely understanding about the event cancellations. For IMYB, we had already prepared an article about three delighted (and now very disappointed) young beekeepers who were to represent the Republic of Ireland at IMYB – but sadly we have had to replace their story.


However, two major season events have gone ahead. Beetradex atendance was just a litle down on last year which is remarkable – perhaps both despite and because of the expectation of restrictions on public gatherings. The Bee Craſt team was there, and we met many readers who were very complimentary of both our new show stand and the new-style magazine. Thank you.


COVER: Across oceans and through fire and floods, Bee Craſt reaches its readers. Mathew Ingram takes a bee break in Australia.


Cover photograph: Mathew Ingram


The Ulster BKA Conference in February was a remarkable success and the team of organisers has certainly made a significant mark on the beekeeping calendar. Beekeepers from all over the British Isles came to hear some very fine international speakers. Watch out for the event next year – and tune-up your vocal cords if you’d like to sit up late on Friday night.


Many beekeepers, especially older ones, are curious about long hives, so we are glad to publish the experiences, some quite unexpected, of Dr BS Lee in this issue. We also have a follow-up to last months’ article on American foulbrood looking at the situation in the USA. Peter Tomkins, that superb font of information, has reminded us about the role oilseed rape has played in beekeeping over the past few decades.


Many thanks for the increasing number of emails and messages you send us – please keep them coming. We hope you and your bees keep healthy.


Contributing this month...


Anticipating this season’s low oilseed rape acreage, Peter Tomkins reflects on the impact of the arrival of the crop on beekeeping more than 40 years ago


Hampshire beekeeper Christine Coulsting tells us about her motivation to become a Master Beekeeper, how she did it and what her success means to her


Aſter a 13-year break from beekeeping, octogenarian Dr BS Lee returns to the craſt in a novel way and with intriguing surprises using long hives


Regulars 4 Around the colony 7 Feedback & comment 16 Miroslav’s biology 17 Spring in the apiary 18 Beginners 20 Learning: how to be kit ready 27 Leter from Australia 30 On test 31 Honey foraging 31 Buzz quiz 33 Book reviews 35 Discoveries 36 Hive mind 36 Flowering now 37 Photo of the month 38 Gardening for pollinators 41 Looking back 43 Ask Bee Craſt 44 IMYB news 45 Classified advertising 46 Driſting


This month


8 AFB in the USA John Hill


9 The impact of oilseed rape Peter W Tomkins


11 Adventures with long hives BS Lee


14 Ulster Conference Simona and Stephen Garret


15 Master Beekeeper Christine Coulsting


23 Upper entrances Rusty Burlew


24 Up close with a varroa mite Graham Royle, NDB


28 Promoting local honey Claire Waring


32 Six Scots go beekeeping in the Azores


32 SW Asian hornet training day


Photo: Mark Crick


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