I am still looking out of the window to see frost on the ground, and the wind has been brisk and cold for a sustained period. We have had a handful of days where the sun has persisted for more than a few hours and although it is warm when the wind drops, it's by … Continue reading All quiet…for the moment
Thermosolar Beehive
It's been really cold - down to freezing overnight - but I was aware the Thermosolar hive is very well insulated and the bees might be needing more room as the cold may not have checked their progress in the way that other hives would. Bees need to expend a lot of energy keeping their … Continue reading Thermosolar Beehive
Beekeeping and Schools
I was recently interviewed for the TES regarding my involvement with the bees at West Rise Junior School. You can read the article here: https://www.tes.com/news/world-bee-day-environment-create-buzz-around-climate-change-your-school
Poultry Update
If you've been watching my recent vlogs, you'll know that there have been a few changes with the poultry here at Shawpits. Since the lifting of 'Cluckdown', I have moved the pens over to one corner of the garden, and will be fencing off an area of north-facing garden for the chooks to have for … Continue reading Poultry Update
Regenerative Beekeeping: Forage
I guess when most people consider keeping bees for other-than-honey purposes, it's the connection with pollination and plants that springs to mind. This is a really powerful aspect of regenerative beekeeping, helping us to evaluate what is flowering and where, and when, and whether or not the bees regard it as a favourable source of … Continue reading Regenerative Beekeeping: Forage
Spring Check of the Selmeston Bees
I last went to see these bees in August last year (read about them here) and I was really hopeful that they'd made it through the winter. The landowner had said she hadn't seen much activity, and the cold snap we had a week or so ago had doomed a few colonies I know, so … Continue reading Spring Check of the Selmeston Bees
Look inside the Thermosolar Hive
The Thermosolar hives at Berwick are based on a standard National hive, but with some modifications. I have a video below showing the basic organisation and construction: https://youtu.be/INQ-1wzutWE The Thermosolar ceiling is only used during mite treatment hence why I just have the roof at the moment. The occupied hive was flying well considering how … Continue reading Look inside the Thermosolar Hive
Regenerative Beekeeping: Hedges
I've had a fascination with hedges for many years, and feel profound dismay at the sight and sound of the annual flailfest along the roads and lanes here in Sussex. I still have my "The History of the Countryside" by Oliver Rackham which was a course textbook for my Agriculture and the Environment degree at … Continue reading Regenerative Beekeeping: Hedges
Regenerative Beekeeping: Wax
Wax is produced by bees to create their home. The external walls of the cavity they occupy (be that hive, tree, chimney) will have been assessed for suitability by the scout bees before moving in, and as the combs will form an essential part of the bees' "body", it is equally essential that the cavity … Continue reading Regenerative Beekeeping: Wax
It’s been a year!
Ok, shameless plug here. When Lockdown started way back in March last year, I had to cancel all my courses and workshops, and my usual mentoring visits were suddenly compromised, as in spite of completely justifiable "essential journey to tend to livestock" it was still a journey. In addition to my reluctance to increase my … Continue reading It’s been a year!