The bees at Berwick are definitely hunkering down for autumn. The wax moth seem to be taking the hint from the bees and the takeover bid appears to have been deflected for the time being. The second hive is showing signs of defence, with the bees clustered at the entrance on guard duty. You can …
Exciting New Resident at the Thermosolar Hives
I took a trip to Berwick today, as it is due to warm up again and I needed to spend more than 3 minutes in my bee suit to make sure the bees were ok. Surprisingly the hive I thought had succumbed to wax moth was alive and very much kicking. Given how grumpy that …
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Thermosolar Bees on a hot HOT day
We are in the throes of a heatwave at the moment, with the maximum temperatures ever recorded in the UK being reached - and exceeded. I went to see the Thermosolar hives as I wanted to make sure they were coping in the heat. We visited in the evening by which time it was beginning …
Biodiversity and the Thermosolar Hives
The Solar Bee Project is not only about honey bees; biodiversity is also a core aim. Honey bees are not endangered, but encouraging an awareness and provision for these well-known and much-loved insects provides a focal point for wider biodiversity challenges. The site at Berwick is valuable for its low intervention and lack of disturbance. …
Late Spring Check of the Thermosolar Hives
We went to see the Thermosolar bees this week to see if they had built up any more since the last inspection. It was a very bright and breezy day at the solar farm, and both hives were flying well. We took the inspection boards out to check for Varroa: There were a few wax …
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Mayday Thermosolar Visit
It has continued to be cold and breezy recently, but I really wanted to make sure the bees were ok as there have been a lot of colony losses near me. Both hives were flying - as before, the original hive was quieter. I checked inside each hive to see how they were building up. …
Thermosolar Visit in the Sunshine
What a glorious spring day! I wanted to see if the colonies were flying and bringing in pollen as it was such lovely weather. The wind was still pretty chilly so I decided against opening them up but it was good to see the leaves starting to appear on the hedgerow trees, and sure enough, …
Early Spring Thermosolar Visit
It was raining when I arrived at the Berwick solar farm today, but I'd been to visit a friend nearby and wanted to make sure the bees were ok after Storms Eunice and Franklin. There wasn't much flowering apart from some brave blackthorn blossoms, and I was not expecting to see the bees flying. There …
Thermosolar Insight
I have been part of the Solar Bee Project at Berwick since its launch back in 2019, and although one of its aims, namely to introduce a focus for biodiversity and increase public engagement with solar farms, the Thermosolar Hive and Varroa control part of the project has been a little more of a struggle. …
Winter at the Thermosolar Hives
A beautiful bright day at Berwick made me keen to see how the site was looking, and whether the bees had decided to make an appearance. At this time of year they can pop out for a few minutes for a 'cleansing flight' but it's easy to miss and fear that your hive has died. …
Wayward Bee 