Bees, Chickens, and Cake
I recently had to have my lovely rabbit Rhubarb put down as he developed an aggressive Pasteurella infection which couldn't be treated in the long term, so the vet and I felt it kindest to have him euthanised. I lost two guinea pigs a few months ago, which could have been from the same thing...difficult …
My dog is still on British Summer Time so has his breakfast extremely early (he's a Lab...not one to have any truck with "no you can wait another hour for food"), and I take him out just as it's getting light. I take my binoculars to scout for deer before letting him off as there …
I have always allowed my chickens to free-range, but the bird flu shenanigans last year made me reconsider how I could continue to let the have their outdoor space but in a more manageable way. In addition, the covid shenanigans have encouraged me to think more holistically about the garden and how to make it …
I wanted to pop in and check the inspection boards of the Thermosolar hives to monitor the mite numbers, and generally make sure all was well. It was a cool day but there was some sunshine so I hoped the bees would be flying. https://videopress.com/v/uKhpxIBe?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata Sure enough, the second hive was active, with bees steadily …
In my previous post I explained that I found the idea of continuing to offer Introductory courses, despite it being ostensibly sustainable beekeeping, was nonetheless unsustainable - whatever my best intentions. Writing some sort of manual to confer this knowledge and teaching seems an obvious development, but I've been wondering how to pitch it. What …
I was contacted by someone who was asking if we would be resuming our Sourdough Tales workshops at Starnash Farmhouse, and I had to tell him that sadly we no longer had the available space, but that I had vlogged my sourdough baking back in one of the Shawpits Diaries, so I thought I would …
As some of you may know, I have recently published some birdwatching booklets, and I am considering finding a way of using my illustrations, writing, and new-found publishing skills to produce something to promote wildlife/beekeeping/forage provision/sustainable beekeeping to a wider audience. I am not sure how best to do this though, as I am a …
Willowherb. One of my favourite plants, and at the moment it's exploding with great swathes of candy floss seedheads, although most of them have been harnessed with gossamer like the willow twig and agrimony here: I heard the twittering of Goldfinches as I walked along, so they are presumably enjoying the seeds. The Cuckoo Trail …
I am very fond of ivy bees, and I've a few big clumps of the plant in my garden and in places I walk past with the dog, so as soon as I hear they are out and about, I start scrutinising the flowers for this charming little species. As with many solitary bees, they …
Another beautiful day at Berwick, visiting the Thermosolar hives, part of the Solar Bee Project. I didn't check inside the hives as by this time of year, the bees are sealing any gaps with propolis and need to focus on collecting nectar and pollen to provision the hive for winter. In any case, I much …
Wayward Bee 