Not a good start for the Bees

Mice Dropping on Fondant and dead bees

I checked on the bees in the in the orchard and one of the hives had been attacked by a mice. I'm not sure how but the mouse guard had fallen away, which left the entrance wide open.

I haven't been through the hive completely but found dead bees on the top and within the hive and lots of sugar fondant, which would have kept them going during the snow and cold weather we've been having. From what I could see the mouse or mice have got into the hive and eaten the bees and the some of the wax at the bottom of the hive. I can see see honey in the frames, however as soon as I went into the hive I could see something was different. I saw lots of dead bees and none were moving and even though it was cold none came up to see what was going on.

Dead bees in the hive

I also saw mouse droppings within the hive and on the sugar fondant I took 1 frame out and saw the honey, however none of the bees came up as I would have expected. Within the next couple of days I will have to bring the hive back to the house and clear it up. I will trash the fondant, and the honey. I may try and salvage the wax to see if I can make a candle from it. I will the scorched the hive and put in new foundation. This will give me a hive later the in season when swarming season starts.

Module 1 BBKA Exam taken

All snowed over

Since September I have been studying to pass the module 1 exam of the Intermediate Theory Certificate in Beekeeping. The module and the certificate is set by the BBKA (British Bee Keeping Association). I took the exam last weekend on Saturday. The exam didn't seem to difficult, however looking back at the questions I have thought of better ways to answer the questions and bits that I could added. One of the questions was about a person setting up a hive in the back garden I should have said that they should join an Association, but forget. Probably lost a point for that. The rest seemed OK. The results are due in roughly a months time, so will update you when I know the results.

Apple Tree Bud Growing

Its also been a very cold and snowy weekend. Normally by this time of the year the weather is warming up and the willow and crocusts are up and providing the bees with food. Its to cold to go into a hive and I'll have to wait for the weather to warm up before checking on the bees. I want to go in and check on them and have bought the additional icing sugar to sprinkle of the bees which will mean that they have to groom themselves and knock off any varroa mites. I have recipes for making sugar fondant and will make some over the next couple of days. Then place it in the hives asap. This should feed the bees but also give them an additional boost so that it encourages the bees to lay more eggs and help pollinate the fruit trees.

On my routine wonder around the orchard I didn't see a single animal track on the snow, but the snow is a couple of inches thick and am assuming that the small creatures are under the snow wondering around. In truth I didn't even see any rabbit tracks, which was surprising.

Qunice Buds opening up

 I did find a single ladybird which is always aplus. However the cold weather will kill of lots of the bugs that are both harmful and positive in orchard, creatures like bees, ladybirds and aphids.

Misty Mornings

Pear tree buds getting bigger

The orchard is very quiet at the moment, everything feels, still, not asleep as such but tired, and covered in a cloud. In the morning it's foggy and misty, making the place look spooky, and mysterious  I like it as it gives the place or sort of dramatic effect and its nice walking through it. I was down one morning about 7 am, it was great. However by lunch time its clear and the orchard feels like its on the edge starting to awake and rise slowly starting to absorb the suns energy. The buds are getting bigger but so slowly, it a long wait. I have also noticed that some of the trees that are near the road seem to be opening faster than than the trees further way, could this be because the road provides a level of heat that the other trees don't receive, perhaps they receive more CO2 from the passing cars. I don't know.

The bees are coming out but not early in the morning about midday and only when its sunny, then they disappear again.

I can see that they have consumed the food that I gave them and some of the spring flowers are also starting to come out. Spring is in the air.

The ground is still wet and soggy. I still get the occasional horse with jockey coming through the orchard and and if they have galloped thought the foot prints leave imprints in the ground and the rain is filling the hoof prints.

Been busy, quick update.

I must apologise for not making my weekly entries over the past couple of weeks. Its poor time management on my part. Its been very busy, with one thing and another.

Bees are fine and have come through the winter. I have given them more food and they are doing fine. Hoping for a better year and in a couple of weeks I want to change the wax in all the hives and feed them so that have a chance to clean up everything. This will also reduce the chance of some of the more come diseases. It may mean feeding the bees to strengthen, them while they draw out the comb though.

Pruning still on going. I have even encouraged my daughter to have a go, and keep me company. She likes it, but only while I am paying attention. Its also fun snipping the twigs. We have done most of the apple and pear trees. The Plum and Cherry trees aren't going to get pruned.

Ground is very wet, having to wear willies and its very worrying. I want to get more manure around the trees but getting that down into the orchard is going to be a problem, the ground is just too wet. The picture is from a couple of weeks ago. Its dryer now, but the ground is still soft and squiggly.

Buds are getting larger, which is a lovely sight. The bigger and larger they get, the more optimistic I get, for fruit later in the year. Its a false though, because after the buds the blossom and the fruit etc.

lots of wildlife everything from bugs birds pests and rodents. This were two ladybirds handing out in the grass, on a warmer afternoon a couple of weeks ago.

I am also hearing rumours that the HS2 line will go through the orchard. This is another reason for the lack of communication. The planned train line goes through/along side the orchard. It may be under the compulsory purchase scheme. I didn't get the letter, but have made enquires as most of the neighbours have.
I will hear within the next 14 days.

I have been working on this project for more than 5 years and in my mind I sow myself in the orchard in 30 years. It may not happen now, which is sad.

Will keep you posted.