Tuesday, May 08, 2007

Bee Bulletin
Aside

Of course I used the wrong title in Pest Controller – bees are not pests. I love bees- our garden is very bee friendly and I’m used to them buzzing round me as I garden –indeed we often share the sane plant - but swarms are something else.
Yesterday we were visited by Julian Willford an apiarist. The bees were still around but not swarming. Just before he arrived they swarmed again, then the sun came out and they buzzed off. We were all disappointed that he hadn’t seen them but he reckons they will be back. Unfortunately the bush they love is near the house and by the entrance.

Incidentally Julian has been playing host to a Ugandan beekeeper Dan Ngirabakunzi who is spending two months in the UK learning new ideas and techniques for the benefit of the beekeepers in Uganda to help them make a living by producing honey. Dan has helped Julian introduce queen bees imported from Hawaii in readiness for the forthcoming season. Julian has completed a course organised by the charity Bees Abroad and will visit Dan in February next year.

10 comments:

Granny said...

I'm glad to read you have bees. There seems to be a shortage here and I thought it might be everywhere.

Or is it?

kenju said...

I knew you wouldn't hyrt them, Pat. Read this for my bee story:




http://justaskjudy.blogspot.com/2005/06/our-own-bee-seasonedited-below.html

Unknown said...

Pat, I read in todays D.T.that this spring has been the best ever for honey production, due to the warm April.

Sam, Problem-Child-Bride said...

Bees good. Wasps bad.

We're all in a kerfuffle about our declining bees over here. It's a big problem. Einstein once said that the collapse of life as we know it would happen 4 years after the disappearance of the bees, such is mankind's dependency on their pollinating abilities, which we just can't mimic on a large scale.

I worry about the bees every day. Bumbles are my favourite.

The gardens look glorious, Pat. I'm glad you're getting the weather to enjoy them.

Nea said...

I read a BBC article about bees vanishing a few weeks ago.

It was a bit disturbing, so it's nice to hear that you are doing what you can for your swarm.

Pat said...

John: I've just lost four answers! We were too tired to go out today ( viitors) so no DT. Bees are certainly in the news. Hope you are less snotty:)

Sam: I was going to direct you to Nea's link below but as it is about American bees I expect you have read it. It is worrying. I read a good bee story in Judy's archives today and will attempt the link tomorrow.
The weather has btoken here and e have much neede rain - but please not next week - we're in Devon!

Nea: Hve read it. Thanks! If Hilary is interested she no doubt will sort it? I'm going to try to do a link to Judy's archives tomorrow. I tried today but got 'Page not available' If at first...

OldHorsetailSnake said...

Bees not vanishing in Great Isles? They sure are over here.

Pat said...

Hoss: not in this neck of the woods. Not yet anyway. But where you go we very often follow. We're funny that way:)

Mine is a Gin said...

Your apiarist should get a return visit to Uganda. It's my favourite place in the world and Ugandan honey is delicious. Very dark in colour and flavour. Like comparing molasses with golden syrup.

Pat said...

Hi Gin! I believe he is going in February next year so I expect he'll enjoy the honey.