So 2016 is coming to an end – and what a challenging year it has been, what with poor honey harvests across the UK, the derogation of the neonicotinoid ban by Parliament...

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I make no apologies for starting this month’s blog with another reminder about the Asian Hornet which has recently arrived on our shores from France. In addition to the initial sighting of...

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I think it must have been the minute I pressed “Send” on last month’s report to RoL, the honey flow started! Since then, the bees have been going mad in terms of...

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What an August we’ve had – and the last week of July as well! Whilst I was wrong in saying I wouldn’t get a honey crop, what the bees appeared to bring...

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My worst fears have been realised – I think we are unlikely to get a honey crop this year! It started about 6 weeks ago with a warning email from the National...

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What a contrast in the weather compared to a month ago! The bees don’t know whether they’re coming or going! But at least they’re not going like they were last month –...

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Well, what a difference a day makes! One minute it was freezing cold and not possible to examine the bees’ nests to check for hygiene and swarming preparations; the next it was...

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I feel so frustrated! It is now almost May and I haven’t had the opportunity (or weather!) to open up my hives and check what is going on inside. Judging by the...

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Well, at long last we are getting a little more sunshine. It’s still relatively cold, especially from about mid-afternoon onwards when the temperatures seem to plummet. This is very confusing for the...

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Hooray! At long last the bees are getting a chance to get out and about. One of the problems with long, damp winters is that there is greater potential for disease build-up...

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