Beekeeper’s Notes: The End Is Nigh

Published on: 1 Nov, 2019
Updated on: 1 Nov, 2019

Hugh Coakley keeps bees in Worplesdon

The end is nigh. Not of the world (we hope) or even Brexit (an OMG from me). It is the end of the beekeeping season. Always a little bit sad.

The interesting bits have happened, the hive inspections, swarms and honey extracting. All that’s left now is to clean up the shed.

Plenty of bee activity at the entrance with lots of pollen, probably ivy, going in. This is the small colony made up from two late swarms so it is looking good. Click on the image.

The bees look busy today. It is about 10 degrees C so a bit nippy but they will fly when the weather is warm enough, anything above 8 degrees C.

There is little in the way of food around but the humble ivy, always very discrete, is in full bloom now. And it is alive with insects.

Reliable but humble ivy, in bloom now and buzzing with insects.

The bees don’t need to forage as they have enough honey and pollen stored on the wax comb to take them through the winter. But, being busy bees, they will be out whenever they can.

Apart from cleaning the shed, we do have some mead brewing. That should sweeten the winter months.