There’s a secret competition among us allotment holders to get the leaves deposited by the college groundsman. Usually the retired Finnish professor of applied maths wins, timing her visits with uncanny precision. But today, for the first time this year, I beat her to it.
November 8, 2025 at 1:13 PM
There’s a secret competition among us allotment holders to get the leaves deposited by the college groundsman. Usually the retired Finnish professor of applied maths wins, timing her visits with uncanny precision. But today, for the first time this year, I beat her to it.
Back from hols, found the space below my bee hive littered with dead drone bees, scattered discarded husks. The girl bees (workers) have decided males are no longer worth feeding over winter.
September 27, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Back from hols, found the space below my bee hive littered with dead drone bees, scattered discarded husks. The girl bees (workers) have decided males are no longer worth feeding over winter.
It looks like a bee but is a fly pretending to be a bee (drone honey bee) so that other insects think it carries a weapon (of deadly repercussions). Deterrent works in nature as a defence mechanism.
August 28, 2025 at 9:41 PM
It looks like a bee but is a fly pretending to be a bee (drone honey bee) so that other insects think it carries a weapon (of deadly repercussions). Deterrent works in nature as a defence mechanism.
Our garden used to be alive with robins, tits, and blackbirds, but this year, pigeons have taken over. They dominate, chasing smaller birds away, and the balance has shifted.
There are more, greenfly and black fly, and plants are suffering. How easy it is for biodiversity to tip over.
There are more, greenfly and black fly, and plants are suffering. How easy it is for biodiversity to tip over.
July 24, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Our garden used to be alive with robins, tits, and blackbirds, but this year, pigeons have taken over. They dominate, chasing smaller birds away, and the balance has shifted.
There are more, greenfly and black fly, and plants are suffering. How easy it is for biodiversity to tip over.
There are more, greenfly and black fly, and plants are suffering. How easy it is for biodiversity to tip over.
Another inspection yesterday. Was hoping for some sign of recovery, but things aren’t turning around. Another queen had died, no eggs, no brood pattern, and the hive was disorganized and aimless. It was quiet in the wrong way. Out of the seven colonies I had back in May, only one is Queen-right.
July 10, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Another inspection yesterday. Was hoping for some sign of recovery, but things aren’t turning around. Another queen had died, no eggs, no brood pattern, and the hive was disorganized and aimless. It was quiet in the wrong way. Out of the seven colonies I had back in May, only one is Queen-right.
Inspected a friend’s hive today. Something looked wrong from outset. The population was far too small for this time of year. My guess is that it swarmed, probably more than once. Without enough bees to defend or maintain order, the hive was under attack from robber bees from other colonies.
July 2, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Inspected a friend’s hive today. Something looked wrong from outset. The population was far too small for this time of year. My guess is that it swarmed, probably more than once. Without enough bees to defend or maintain order, the hive was under attack from robber bees from other colonies.
As one of my hives has gone rogue with laying workers taken over, and the brood is all drone. I had no choice today, but to destroy 6 frames of drone comb. Not good, but I’m hoping it’s not too late.
The plan is to combine what’s left with a queen-right colony.
The plan is to combine what’s left with a queen-right colony.
June 30, 2025 at 1:42 PM
As one of my hives has gone rogue with laying workers taken over, and the brood is all drone. I had no choice today, but to destroy 6 frames of drone comb. Not good, but I’m hoping it’s not too late.
The plan is to combine what’s left with a queen-right colony.
The plan is to combine what’s left with a queen-right colony.
Lots of scattered Drone brood in the hive that killed the queen I introduced. Seems odd that they killed their only chance of survival.
June 27, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Lots of scattered Drone brood in the hive that killed the queen I introduced. Seems odd that they killed their only chance of survival.
Bad news- the queen I introduced was killed and I have egg laying workers
June 15, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Bad news- the queen I introduced was killed and I have egg laying workers
My honey this year is going to be bursting with the delicate nectar of blackberry flowers from the hedgerows around the allotments. Rich, aromatic, and subtly fruity, the honey captures the taste of June.
June 12, 2025 at 12:20 PM
My honey this year is going to be bursting with the delicate nectar of blackberry flowers from the hedgerows around the allotments. Rich, aromatic, and subtly fruity, the honey captures the taste of June.
Introductions are tricky - they might get on and start feeding the new Queen or might think she’s a usurper and try and knock her off by overheating.
June 7, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Introductions are tricky - they might get on and start feeding the new Queen or might think she’s a usurper and try and knock her off by overheating.
Her majesty arrived- gave her a dab of last year’s honey to get her ready to meet the staff.
June 6, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Her majesty arrived- gave her a dab of last year’s honey to get her ready to meet the staff.
Today, the air crackles with anticipation. Her Majesty, a Buckfast Queen will arrive, when the clock ticks noon. She’ll be flanked by her entourage of workers. The hive swept, the excluder polished, and the atmosphere is electric. After all, it’s good enough for Steve Backshall, it’s good for me.
June 6, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Today, the air crackles with anticipation. Her Majesty, a Buckfast Queen will arrive, when the clock ticks noon. She’ll be flanked by her entourage of workers. The hive swept, the excluder polished, and the atmosphere is electric. After all, it’s good enough for Steve Backshall, it’s good for me.
My Bees 2nd June Critical inspection today. Now at a tipping point in the season – the choices I make now will shape how the hives perform. Most colonies are in a fragile state of transition, some potentially queenless, others just beginning to recover from earlier manipulations.
6 colonies:
6 colonies:
June 2, 2025 at 3:27 PM
My Bees 2nd June Critical inspection today. Now at a tipping point in the season – the choices I make now will shape how the hives perform. Most colonies are in a fragile state of transition, some potentially queenless, others just beginning to recover from earlier manipulations.
6 colonies:
6 colonies:
My nuc hive queen has swarmed. I must have missed the queen cell in last weeks inspection. But I spotted the virgin queen usurper making strange noises as she was about to start her nuptial flight
May 20, 2025 at 6:57 AM
My nuc hive queen has swarmed. I must have missed the queen cell in last weeks inspection. But I spotted the virgin queen usurper making strange noises as she was about to start her nuptial flight
Monthly planting guides - Bumblebee Conservation Trust
www.bumblebeeconservation.org
May 18, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Allotment has exploded
May 17, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Allotment has exploded
Hectic week! Started 2 hives and 2 boxes, and now have 7 colonies—4 hives & 3 boxes. One box originally from neighbour, who thought they might supersede. Another had a queen cell 2nd hive. I artificially split the other hive that had 20 queen cells, and then over the weekend, collected 2 swarms.
May 12, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Hectic week! Started 2 hives and 2 boxes, and now have 7 colonies—4 hives & 3 boxes. One box originally from neighbour, who thought they might supersede. Another had a queen cell 2nd hive. I artificially split the other hive that had 20 queen cells, and then over the weekend, collected 2 swarms.
Inside the railway bridge tunnel - light at the other side
May 7, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Inside the railway bridge tunnel - light at the other side
I just wonder what they are thinking
April 25, 2025 at 5:23 PM
I just wonder what they are thinking
Bees feeding off plum blossom
April 10, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Bees feeding off plum blossom
A Nuc to replenish bees lost last year. Watching them reset GPS.
April 10, 2025 at 12:38 PM
A Nuc to replenish bees lost last year. Watching them reset GPS.
Plum trees coming out
April 8, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Plum trees coming out
A wooden box upon the shed,
With hopes that swarms will rest instead.
Getting bait boxes in place to capture a swarm
With hopes that swarms will rest instead.
Getting bait boxes in place to capture a swarm
April 6, 2025 at 9:39 AM
A wooden box upon the shed,
With hopes that swarms will rest instead.
Getting bait boxes in place to capture a swarm
With hopes that swarms will rest instead.
Getting bait boxes in place to capture a swarm