It’s taken a while, but it’s lovely to have some proper summer weather. There haven’t been many swarm calls which has meant I’ve been able to focus on some other garden projects which I didn’t get round to last year despite going literally nowhere for 15 months…anyone else in that situation? My friend helped my tie in the roses (that’s to say he did it … Continue reading High Summer at Shawpits
Bees on comfrey. There are lots of big stands of this robust perennial growing in many places near me – right outside my front door for one! – and the bumblebees absolutely love it. They often chew a hole in the top of the flower to access the nectaries and I do find that these plants don’t have many viable seed. They are collecting pollen … Continue reading Comfrey
On Monday 14th December, our domestic poultry have to be confined to barracks and restricted from accessing areas also used by wild birds. As stated in my previous posts, this is to prevent the spread of avian flu which is currently circulating in Europe and has the potential to be a serious health issue for both birds and humans. With this in mind, I have … Continue reading Bird Flu III
So, the restrictions for poultry have increased to full containment from the 14th December. This is problematic for me as I rely on ranging as the birds’ outdoor area and many of my coops – although they have runs attached – are not big or secure enough to house the occupants full time. Hens do need a remarkable amount of exercise and fresh grazing and … Continue reading Bird Flu II
I have taken the decision to shelve all my face-to-face courses as the uncertainty continues, and the possibility attendees–or me–needing to self-isolate on an ad hoc basis as the lockdown lifts makes trying to plan dates rather a nightmare, and that’s before the social distancing measures that need to be in place. I am very aware that lots of people come to my courses and … Continue reading Vlog!
Brief diversion from the bees as the rain poured down! Since the coronavirus outbreak, I have been selling my eggs directly to people and I reuse old egg boxes. I was given some brush pens for my birthday, and a book on modern calligraphy and lettering: The pens are a make called BAOKE and I presume they came from Amazon. I had a bit of … Continue reading Modern calligraphy
With the current COVID-19 situation continuing to play out, I am unlikely to be able to offer workshops and courses despite this being the start of the beekeeping year. Thankfully the weather has started to improve here in the UK, and my remaining colonies are now collecting masses of willow pollen, and flying well when the sun manages to get itself through the clouds! I … Continue reading Upcoming courses and workshops
I ordered an extra tarpaulin for me when I purchased the ones for the West Rise Reptile Zone. I had a mind to re-cover my chicken runs, and as the tarps were an absolute bargain – being slightly discoloured due to storage – I decided they would be perfect for the job. I have improvised with plastic but of course this doesn’t last five minutes … Continue reading A bit more tarp action…
On Thursday I went along to an evening walk and talk with friends, Vicky of Starnash Farmhouse, and Andy of Almost Off Grid, at Tablehurst Farm to have a guided tour of their poultry unit by Robin and some of the volunteers. I find biodynamic farming absolutely fascinating, and love the general ethos of keeping everything within the farm system, valuing the soil, and utilising … Continue reading Biodynamic birds
I hatched some chicks this year, as I wanted to rear some replacement pullets and I had a few people needing cockerels, plus I had a couple of Sketching Chickens classes booked, and chicks are always fun to watch and draw. They remind me so much of little dinosaurs as they run around the garden in a pack with their huge feet and diminutive heads. … Continue reading Boys and Girls
