Attended the BBKA General Husbandry practical session

Marking Drones with a white dot

It was held at Warwickshire BeeKeepers Solihull apiary as I couldn't make the date for the Sutton Coldfield one. It was the first time that I had been to the Solihul Aprairy and it was very impressive. We did the practical sessions even though weather wise it wasn't ideal. We had showers that day and its was cloudy and during the sessions we did have a rain.

Celia Davis talking through creating a Nuc

They have about 10 hives and a number of nucs, all grounded and well positioned. The Apiary hut was also very professional, every thing in its place with lots of shelving space where everything was labeled. The whole Apiary is well organised.

Its very impressive, they even have loos. The location is also very well located in a semi rural setting with woodland and farmland on its doorstep.

The training was presented by Celia Davis and David Sutton. Both gave demonstrations and talked through everything well. I asked how a Lateral Flow Device worked and Dave Sutton demonstrated with a real kit.

We had to do an artificial swarm, Clip a drone check for Brood diseases and build a nuc. We all participated in the practical activities and we all had a go at Clipping a queen and checking for brood diseases.

Dave Sutton demonstration looking for brood diseases

I got stung in the head 3 times which put a dampener on the day and I would have preferred smaller practical groups, but we were in 2 groups of 8. The actual talks were fine. Smaller groups of 4/5 would be better.

Not sure if I am ready for the general husbandry exam yet, at least a year away. I could do all the practical activities requested, just not sure it would be upto the standard required for the BBKA.

MSOG Blossom Orchard Walk

Path up-to the community orchard

As a member of the Mid Shires Orchard Group (MSOG) I was invited to the the annual general meeting, which unfortunately I missed (didn't want to take the kids to the meeting) but then in the afternoon I did attend the Blossom orchard walk and picnic in Little Horwood, Buckingham. I took the kids and my sister, they played in the park while I ventured with other members of the group into a showery May Saturday afternoon. 

The Little Horwich Community orchard

Mike Jones Apple and Cider trees in an allotment

We walked around the community orchard with Mike Jones who makes his own delicious cider. The community orchard is a little scruffy but a lovely orchard. They have various fruit trees and and have added to the orchard regularly. Mike told us the history of the orchard and how its came into existence. Mike had worked hard over many years (30+) to establish and build environmental havens that part of the world.

One of Mikes Jones hives in an orchard

Mike also showed use around another orchard which he has 130 trees, it was very impressive and showed what members of the public can do with some persistence.

Then we enjoyed a picnic as the weather brighten up, all in all a very enjoyable day.

Growth now pushing through

Apple blossom

I checked on most of the trees and some of the blossom now has gone mainly on the cherry and plum and you can see the fruit-lets. The apple blossom is still going strong.


In the trees its possible to see small little green fruit-lets mainly on the plums and cherry trees. Lots of them especially on the cherry trees.

The weather has been good for the fruit we have had sun and rain not too much frost and the trees and the soil are responding well and the trees are growing. The leaves are getting bigger and the grass is also getting taller.

Hemish hiding in the grass

I can see lots of dandelions and the buttercups are starting to come out. I am planning on planting more flowers out over the next few weeks. I would like a meadow floor in the orchard lets see how it goes.

That is expensive and time consuming, both things I could with more off. Going to start with some basic flowers. I will see how they do, and then plant more.

My son is able to hide in the parts of the orchard that have long grass. It will have to cut not sure when but I may cut out a path so I and others can walk around.

Ladybirds in the orchards

At present it does look like it might be a good year for the orchard. However its still early in the year and no point in predicting the fruit yet.

I'm not seeing many aphids, yet but I have seen caterpillars.

Some of these caterpillars are going to start munching through the leaves. If it gets to be an issue I will spray either an organic compound or soapy water on the leaves.