Still wet and and Im helping the bees

Its been a quiet week, some parts of the orchard are still water logged, but its getting better. I have checked the bee hive, not for brood just for additional stores of food. I have also cleared the dead bees that were at the entrance and behind the mouse guard. The bees actually came out today which is a good sign, they also dropped very small amounts of bee feces much smaller than some of the bees at the Sutton park apiary.

The trees look the same and though we checked the trees I can not claim that the buds are getting bigger. I have seen some new holes in the ground which I think have been made by rabbits as next to the holes I can see rabbit feces. I can also see that mole hills are back and as far as I am concerned they are welcome. I have never seen a mole but I presume that they are nocturnal creatures, so may not for a while.

This is the first weekend that the whole family has been down this year, its was nice to have the company. I am this week looking at additional bee hives and thinking of putting down some willow trees and making a den for the kids. The new hives; lots of options wbc, national and a variety of raw materials.

The den for the kids may be from pollarded willow. Start on one and see how it goes, if the first one is successful then may put one or two around the place and they could be shelters for other animals and perhaps for sheep later. This may take a couple of years, so stay tuned.

Buds, Buds, Bees and Acid

Its been a busy week. I have checked on the trees, lots and lots of buds getting bigger and bigger. Its nice to see, but its doesn't mean everything is rosy. I've got to wait and see how the buds are developing in a month or two and then see what the blossom is like.

Its been cold and some parts of the orchard are water logged, which is even more worrying. I have also noticed that some of the trees have lots of moss on them. I'm not sure if its a good or bad thing.

I have been to my monthly bee lecture. This month it was on food regulation, interesting, but not fascinating. I also checked on my own bees and have left some additional food for them hope they will be OK, its has been cold over the past couple of days, and I do want to check on them again. I did see a number of dead bees at the entrance of the hive. I checked with the Apiary manager at Sutton park and he reckons it should be fine and I should clear the dead bees.

On Sunday I attended a demonstration on how to apply oxalic acid to bees, as a method of reducing the number of Varroa mites. It was good I learn't alot, I also got some acid, not 100% certain I'm going to apply it though.

Snows Gone

Wondered around the orchard today, examined the trees and made sure that the trees haven't been damaged by the recent weather. The snow was at its peak 4-5 inches deep. It has now melted leaving lots of puddles and wet grass and in a couple of areas I will have large puddles upto to a 4 cms in depth of water and several meters wide.

One of the roads nearby was flooded and the guy who owns the stables near me has had his show jumping area completely flooded.

The trees seem to have a lot more moss on them and usual, which makes they pretty but I'm not sure if its doing any harm. A can see lots of buds on the trees which is good news. I can also see what I think is frost damage, I'm not sure. Will have to monitor.

A couple of trees seem to have had the bark loosened around certain twigs, I presume that they have absorbed more water than the others. It may be water related damage again I must wait and see.

I met a chap called Roy today who had lots of questions and has even offered to help me with certain bits.

The hustler mower has been paid for and I can get the company to deliver once I set a delivery date. I want them to keep the machine for a little longer. I won't be cutting the grass when its this wet.

I have found fungus on a couple of trees not sure how serious it is, but I will be sending pictures to Ryton gardens.

The Bee hive seems very wet still, I have made the bees some sugar fondant but have not put it into the Beehive yet. I still not not know when the Oxalic Aid course will be due to the weather.

New year slow snowy start

2010 Happy New year.



The trees are all standing and sleeping no damage from the rabbits thus far. Which is good, I can't tell how the bees are doing and with temperatures down to -7 some mornings, it is worrying.

I was due to attend a demonstration on how to apply oxalic acid with the Sutton Coldfield Bee Keepers Association but because of the weather it has been postponed until the temperatures pick up.

The land it self is fine I can see lots of tracks from rabbits and foxes and other animals, no human. I haven't seen any ladybirds or other insects. I can seen small birds flying around especially around the bushes. I haven't put additional food out to attract animals either.

I have started looking at trailers to carry the mower, Ifor Willams are specialist but smaller trailers are just to small by about 4cm internally. The commercial ones are double the price, I have been monitoring ebay for a decent one but no real joy. Cost is the other factor although the investment in a trailer would bring long term benefits the initial outlay is daunting. I have the option to take the mower apart and put it into the trailer, this may waste some time but would save me money and space, as the commercial trailers are much bigger.

The picture is of ice in the field which was taken a couple of days ago.