Tag Archives: Winter

Winter losses – not quite what they seem

Posted on November 5, 2023 by Paul

Each Spring, we survey our treatment-free members to ascertain winter colony losses, and compare with the national surveys of conventional beekeepers’ losses. Over 8 years we’ve built up an interesting comparison graph, but though our treatment-free results (blue line) can … Continue reading →

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ONBG meeting, March 2023 – new year, new lessons

Posted on March 9, 2023 by Paul

Twenty people convened at Gilliane’s to share thoughts on bees, and rather a lot of food. A recurring theme was winter mortality and factors affecting this: weather, hive design and climate change. Greeting and eating Food is a marvellous social … Continue reading →

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Lockdown winter projects

Posted on February 27, 2021 by Paul

Have you ever wondered what beekeepers do in winter? My own strategy is to try and eat my own weight in honey. Others are more industrious. Here are a few examples our group has shared over lockdown.

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Winter is coming

Posted on November 7, 2020 by Paul

The Winter Cycle It’s getting cold at night – time to fit mouse guards! You may see dark stains or frost on landing boards early in the morning – this is the humid breath of the hive condensing as it … Continue reading →

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Winter survival surveys show ‘treatment-free’ works

Posted on August 5, 2020 by Paul

Each May OxNatBees surveys our members for information on winter losses. This graph shows losses year by year, compared with other surveys. The stand-out point is that our losses for untreated hives populated by local bees (blue “ONBG” line) are … Continue reading →

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Spreading the Bee Buzz #10 – Surviving Winter

Posted on February 2, 2017 by Paul

The latest in our series on beekeeping for a village magazine – written for non-beekeepers, and to suit the broad range of ages and knowledge among the readers. Over winter insect life disappears from our gardens. The frosts have killed … Continue reading →

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Observations with an Infrared Camera

Posted on November 8, 2016 by pritchard237

The seasons are turning: we have days of fireworks and poppies, of squirrels skittish on ripe conkers, and clock-hours turning back. I worry about the bees. As I walk, misty-breathed beside the Thames, I think of them huddled together in … Continue reading →

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