Ladybirds and Rabbit holes

The past two weeks have been quiet; the trees seem fine, however it has been cold and very wet and at night freezing.

I have found mice droppings on the varroa board at the bottom of the hive so we have gradually moved the entire hive up 2 inches a week. It has now been moved up 4 inches in total. I will check for droppings this weekend and see if the hive needs to be moved up another 2 inches. I’m hoping this is enough. The mouse or mice haven’t got into the hive but they have eaten some of the bees by grabbing them through the mesh floor. My wife has been helping me move the hives higher, this is the first time she has had anything to do with the bees. We had a couple of fraught moments.

My wife and kids have also been to the orchard they walked around the trees with me and examined the trees the buds the soil etc. I have showed them where ladybirds like to hide and my daughter ran around trying to find them. She and my wife were competing to see who could fine the most.

I have also shown my daughter some of the rabbit burrows around the orchard. I have also noted, that recently they seem to be digging more holes nearer the trees.

The lawnmower hasn't been used yet, as its been way to wet, but as it starts to dry out I need to get on top of it. I can see lots of new green shoots, on the ground, mostly grass. I would like to get at least 1 cut done asap, then again repeat the process on a weekly basis.

I have also found a supplier of mushroom compost, which I will be spreading around the trees on a weekly basis. The last supplier has disappeared, can't get in touch with them, they are not answering the phone etc.

Valentines Day - Ring of willow

Today we have placed 9 willow Pollarded branches and created a ring of willow. Its large and could last if successful a couple of hundred years.

I can imagine it. A nice circle of large willow trees that you could sit around and chill under in the summer months. They have been planted where we get a lots of water buildup. Hopefully they will suck-up much of the water.

I do hope it will be successful, and in a couple of years I could put some additional logs etc in the circle for people especially the kids to sit around and play, even have a barbecue, play music, hide from some of the elements.

My wife wasn't as impressed, a valentines day gift "A ring made from willow". It didn't cost much, just some time. The willow was from a park nearby. I spoke to the warden and he was happy for me to take what I wanted.

The bees will also like the willow as it grows and matures.