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Good News from the Worth Apiary
There are encouraging signs of life in our Apiary as the four hives begin to awaken after a very wet autumn and winter. Excess moisture can be just as challenging for bees as freezing temperatures, so it is heartening to see them slowly coming back into activity.
Although we’re not fully “out of the woods” yet — late March and early April can still bring cold snaps — things are looking positive. On brighter days, the worker bees have started venturing outside the hives, returning with small but welcome collections of pollen. These early flights are one of the first indicators that the colonies are preparing for the season ahead.
It is still too early to inspect inside the hives, as opening them now would allow valuable warmth to escape. For the moment, we cannot yet see whether the queens have begun laying or whether the workers are preparing queen cells in anticipation of a potential spring swarm. That mystery will unfold as temperatures continue to rise.
With limited forage available at this time of year, the bees are being supported with fondant and pollen patties to help sustain them until nature’s own food sources become more plentiful.
A promising start to the beekeeping year — and a lovely sign of spring’s approach in our Abbey grounds.
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