You may remember last year we signed up to submit our honey for sampling as part of the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology Honey Monitoring Scheme.
The scheme analyses honey samples from apiaries all over the country to gather information using advanced analytical techniques to identify the species of plant pollen present in honey samples. This will tell the CEH what bees are feeding on in different parts of the country and at different times of year. This information will help them identify possible threats to bees linked with floral resources.
Our results are really interesting, firstly showing our honey is just about perfect in regard to concentration of sugars and water, (a sign of quality!) It also shows exactly in a 2km radius of school, our bees preferred sites and forage. So here are the forage areas in summary...
The chart shows that a large proportion of our bees forage comes from Suburban areas, ie, all the children's gardens around school! The other large area is classified as 'Improved grassland' that means managed fields and land, so that could mean areas where pesticides have been used, had lime applied or fertiliser...
When we look at the areas surrounding school, we have a cricket ground, football pitches and parks, all areas where the land is intensively & actively managed.
It is great to see the bees are using the local woodland including our wood to gain valuable year round forage.
When the scheme looked at plant species, over 25 different plants were seen to be 'favourites' for our girls! Top of the list was White Clover, with over 60% of the bees vote! Next up, Bramble.
This really shows how important 'wild and natural' areas are, not just to our bees, but all pollinators. We will be looking closely at the rest of the results and will of course share them...
It is almost time for this years sample... I wonder what difference a year will make in the honey and the landscape available to our bees...? Hopefully our new wildflower area will feature in next years results!!
The scheme analyses honey samples from apiaries all over the country to gather information using advanced analytical techniques to identify the species of plant pollen present in honey samples. This will tell the CEH what bees are feeding on in different parts of the country and at different times of year. This information will help them identify possible threats to bees linked with floral resources.
Our results are really interesting, firstly showing our honey is just about perfect in regard to concentration of sugars and water, (a sign of quality!) It also shows exactly in a 2km radius of school, our bees preferred sites and forage. So here are the forage areas in summary...
The chart shows that a large proportion of our bees forage comes from Suburban areas, ie, all the children's gardens around school! The other large area is classified as 'Improved grassland' that means managed fields and land, so that could mean areas where pesticides have been used, had lime applied or fertiliser...
When we look at the areas surrounding school, we have a cricket ground, football pitches and parks, all areas where the land is intensively & actively managed.
It is great to see the bees are using the local woodland including our wood to gain valuable year round forage.
When the scheme looked at plant species, over 25 different plants were seen to be 'favourites' for our girls! Top of the list was White Clover, with over 60% of the bees vote! Next up, Bramble.
This really shows how important 'wild and natural' areas are, not just to our bees, but all pollinators. We will be looking closely at the rest of the results and will of course share them...
It is almost time for this years sample... I wonder what difference a year will make in the honey and the landscape available to our bees...? Hopefully our new wildflower area will feature in next years results!!
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