Not What I Was Expecting

I finally got up to the Island for the day today to inspect and feed the hives. I dug into them and unfortunately only three made it through the winter - none of the swarms from last summer survived. It looks like the cold got to them - some honey stores remaining, no signs of disease, and the bees were head-in to the comb.

But the remaining hives look healthy and in good shape! Planning to split the most robust hive (the one on the right in this picture) - need to order a queen for the split.

First Check of Spring

I received a phone call last week from Sam Meacham, who was out on the Island and passing through the bee yard. According to Sam, five hives have signs of bee activity - the remaining two hives did not have any activity, but it was a bit chilly that day.

I am heading out Sunday to feed them, remove the mouse guards and start spring clean-up. Still a bit early to reverse the hives or put on supers I think. Depends on whether the temperature is warm enough tomorrow for me to do a detailed inspection, or just put on top feeders.

Late Winter Check

I went out to the Island yesterday to check the hives - four had a few bees out for cleansing runs, so I assume these have made it so far. Temperature was in the low 40s so the other three hives may also be still going. Too cold to feed but will put on pollen patties in a few weeks. Still about a foot of snow on the ground - it is really still winter...

Summer 2010 Recap

I have again been negligent about keeping up with this blog, so will summarize the remainder of 2010 in this post and try to be more diligent in 2011.

We had two good honey harvests in our kitchen in July and August - mostly from two hives but extracted about 100 pounds in the two rounds of harvesting. Did both extractions in the kitchen with only a little mess.

Lost one of the eight hives to either CCD or a bum queen - have was completely empty, which is not the typical symptom of CCD. But went into the fall with seven hives. Medicated, put on mouse guards (after shooing a mouse and nest out of one hive) and tucked in for the winter. I have painted the deeps dark green this year so did not wrap them.

It has been very cold and snowy this winter and I have not been out to inspect them. But our caretaker has been by on occasion to make sure that snow drifts are not blocking the hive entrances.

Next planned trip out will be mid to late March to feed pollen patties, and then mid April to start spring sugar-water feeding.