We are experiencing some odd weather at present, heavy rain showers and of late high winds.
Over the last week, the bees have been very busy when the weather permits. Despite a number of heavy rain showers they have been out foraging. The level of pollen on them is encouraging as they build supplies for the winter.
Mid-week we had a number of orientation flights around the hive which is amazing seeing bees flying around. They appear to start off close to the alighting board and slowing rise in a circular flight, no doubt getting their bearings for later.
Wasps are still around but both traps are working well and with all the rain we need to replenish the bait to keep them effective.
As we move into August the threat of hornets becomes a possibility and is being monitored.
Incidentally, with the cooler weather, we will do a veroa count. By smearing Vaseline on the edges of the solid floor and then in distinct lines from back to front to get an idea of the number and keep the mites separate to enable an accurate count to be made.
We have taken two frames fo capped honey from the super. This leaves the bees with two fully capped and with two uncapped and other in the process of being filled. The brood box has full frames of honey and nectar so we are optimistic that they will have sufficient supplies for the winter.
Whilst observing the bees this afternoon we became aware that our Scandinavian birch was at an odd angle. It had started to be uprooted by the high winds.
Needless to say, it is now cut into logs for drying. Such a pity as it was a very pleasant tree with its colored bark and weeping boughs; which produced catkins.
Even the tomatoes in the greenhouse were blown over and they are staked and in heavy pots. Wind can be very destructive and the bees are none too happy about flying in it either.
Next up it extracting the frames of honey having knocked of any bees and leaving in a poly brood box overnight, we have been able to ensure that no bee remained on the frames. Our understanding is that with a complete super of capped honey an escape board need to be fitted with an appropriate device to ensure the bees cannot return to the frames when they leave at night.
We will let you know how we get on with the extraction of the honey next time.