Well the spring flowers are appearing all over the Heron Hill school grounds and the bees are out and about enjoying the sunshine... does this mean the spring has arrived??
Bees generally start flying when the temperature rises around 12 degrees.
Our girls were out today, many out on much needed 'cleansing flights...' (bees are very clean, and under normal circumstances don't poo in the hive!) They 'store it up' until the weather is suitably calm for them to 'nip out' and do their business outside.
Our hardy girls were outside today at 10 degrees and bringing back pollen, a sure sign that things are beginning to happen in the hive. Bees bring in pollen to feed the brood, so does this mean our Queens are laying? It is still too early to open the hives to inspect them, but if the mild weather continues then we could be in for an early start to the season.
So, if you want to give an early helping hand to bees and other vital pollinators, early Crocus, Snowdrops and Hazel all provide a super source of early pollen, so plant them in your gardens and watch the bees arrive!
Bees generally start flying when the temperature rises around 12 degrees.
Our girls were out today, many out on much needed 'cleansing flights...' (bees are very clean, and under normal circumstances don't poo in the hive!) They 'store it up' until the weather is suitably calm for them to 'nip out' and do their business outside.
Our hardy girls were outside today at 10 degrees and bringing back pollen, a sure sign that things are beginning to happen in the hive. Bees bring in pollen to feed the brood, so does this mean our Queens are laying? It is still too early to open the hives to inspect them, but if the mild weather continues then we could be in for an early start to the season.
So, if you want to give an early helping hand to bees and other vital pollinators, early Crocus, Snowdrops and Hazel all provide a super source of early pollen, so plant them in your gardens and watch the bees arrive!
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You may think that all pollen looks the same... not so!
Pollen differs not only in the colour in the hive, but also how it looks under the microscope. The Bee Team have stained pollen to observe all the amazing shapes and sizes it comes in.
Top Pollen Fact: Snow drops have red pollen! When the bees mix it with some 'saliva' the pollen turns a red colour, quite amazing to see it stored in the hives!
Pollen differs not only in the colour in the hive, but also how it looks under the microscope. The Bee Team have stained pollen to observe all the amazing shapes and sizes it comes in.
Top Pollen Fact: Snow drops have red pollen! When the bees mix it with some 'saliva' the pollen turns a red colour, quite amazing to see it stored in the hives!
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