- ONBG (OxNatBees) is an informal mutual support network for beginners and experienced beeks who aspire to practise bee-centric, low intervention, and chemical-free beekeeping in Oxfordshire. To join the group and share ideas, questions, information and experiences, please use this site's Contact Us form.
Next ONBG Meeting
Saturday 9th September, Steeple Aston – Warres, TBHs, feral colonies and preparation for winter
Twitter: @OxNatBees
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Recent Blog Posts
- Lore of the Honey Bee July 30, 2017
- ONBG meeting, 15th July 2017 – a rooftop apiary July 24, 2017
- OxNatBees exhibit at RSA Motivate July 14, 2017
- ‘Inspecting’ your bees – the low-intervention way July 5, 2017
- Neonicotinoids implicated again June 29, 2017
- Summer starvation warning June 17, 2017
- ONBG meeting, 13th May 2017 – swarms and exotic hives June 7, 2017
- Bees in trees May 29, 2017
- The ‘other’ bees: Steven Falk workshop May 22, 2017
- Cob beehive – an experimental top-bar hive adaption May 5, 2017
- Adapting to foundationless frames in a National hive May 2, 2017
- The Bee Meeting: North Tawton and South Leigh April 8, 2017
- ONBG meeting, 1st April 2017 – an emergency cut-out April 4, 2017
- Spreading the Bee Buzz #11 – Starting Beekeeping March 29, 2017
- Two swarms in the same hive: an update March 22, 2017
- ONBG meeting, 12 March 2017 March 14, 2017
- Beginners start here March 2, 2017
- Angry bees February 16, 2017
- Winter forage February 8, 2017
- Calm bees February 5, 2017
Category Archives: Apiary visits
ONBG meeting, 15th July 2017 – a rooftop apiary
Eight of us met atop a building in central Oxford where Will keeps six hives, a mix of Nationals and their big brother Commercials, twenty metres above street level. He blends natural and conventional beekeeping, being treatment free, using foundationless … Continue reading
ONBG meeting, 13th May 2017 – swarms and exotic hives
Eighteen folk met at Gareth’s apiary in West Oxfordshire, where he experiments with hive variations and populates them with free mated bees descended from the extensive population of local ferals. Gareth is a trustee of the Natural Beekeeping Trust, has … Continue reading
Posted in Apiary visits, Experimentation, Hives, Meetings, ONBG, Swarms, Warré
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ONBG meeting, 12 March 2017
A Newbee special We gathered at the Marsh Harrier pub in Oxford on a Sunday afternoon to discuss beekeeping with some interested “newbees” who were seriously considering keeping bees themselves. It’s remarkable how bees spark discussion: just carrying in a … Continue reading
Posted in Apiary visits, Hives, Meetings, Members, ONBG, Pests, TBH
Tagged Beginner, Newbee
2 Comments
Warre hive modification
Following on from the July visit to Gareth’s apiary, has anyone modified their hives? There are 3 stages: add some legs move the entrance up above the lower box add some extra insulation
Posted in Apiary visits, Meetings, Members, Warré, Workshops
4 Comments
ONBG meeting and apiary visit, 10th Sept 2016
Over the course of an occasionally rainy afternoon 18 people dropped by Paul’s house and apiary in the village of Steeple Aston to discuss Autumn tasks, winter stores assessment, feeding, harvesting, and observe various Warré and Top Bar hives and … Continue reading
Posted in Apiary visits, Hives, Honey, Meetings, ONBG, Products, TBH, Warré
Tagged ants, Autumn, Feeding, feral bees, syrup, Wasps
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Pertwood farm visit, 13th August 2016
Eight of the ONBG headed to Wiltshire to visit the first tree hive to be setup in the UK. This is at Pertwood farm, a source of excellent muesli. Lower Pertwood Farm is a 2,100 acre farm that has been organic for … Continue reading
Posted in Apiary visits, Books, Hives, ONBG, pollen, Publications, Skeps
Tagged tree hives, Zeidler hive
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ONBG meeting & apiary visit, 30th July 2016
On a lovely calm day at the end of July, 20 of us gathered at Gareth’s place in West Oxfordshire to share a meal and see a large happy apiary. Gareth has not treated his hives for ~5+ years now … Continue reading
Posted in Apiary visits, Inspections, Meetings, ONBG, Warré
Tagged Apiary visits, Inspections, Meetings, ONBG, Warré
2 Comments
