bees
Pesticides harm bumblebees’ ability to forage
Bumblebees exposed to pesticides suffered adverse effects to their foraging behaviour, according to a new study co-authored by Nigel Raine and Richard Gill in the journal Functional Ecology.
Bumblebees (Bombus terrestis) are essential insect pollinators that are vital to healthy… Continue reading
The following article has been reproduced from The Permaculture Research Institute website.
http://permaculturenews.org/2014/03/12/top-bar-beekeeping/
With thanks to The Permaculture Research Institute
Martin O’Callaghan has been keeping bees for nearly 20 years and was up for sharing his experience with us on… Continue reading
Latest research link to pesticide usage and bee decline
Bee decline
Latest research link to pesticide usage and bee decline.
Just published in the US is this article from the Natural Resources Defence Council Staff blog (http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/jsass/defenseless_bees.htm) which highlights the increasing evidence of harm from neonicotinoid pesticides despite… Continue reading
Adding living areas
Adding living areas
Last week Harry used his ‘o’ level woodwork skills to prepare further living accommodation for the colonies in the langstroth hives. Harry had ordered and received 3 basic langstroth kits and we perused how the parts could… Continue reading
Six colonies
Six colonies
Last week has been a very busy one for our bees. On Tuesday, Ducklington colony and Kingham, both cast off and swarmed into a bush very close to the apiary. Melvin was really pleased to observe this wonderful… Continue reading
Fulbrook swarm
Fulbrook swarm
On Wednesday 5th June, 2013, Melvin, Harry and Greg were called to a swarm near to the church in Fulbrook. We assessed the situation, and the swarm had settled in 3 locations, very near to each other. The… Continue reading
First swarm
First swarm
On Sunday, 19th, May, Harry’s daughter, Carla noticed a lot of bees coming and going from a large bush near to the apiary. Harry hot-footed it down to see that there was a large swarm of bees present… Continue reading
Meeting of ONBA sunday, 15th, April at Paul’s in Steeple Aston
Meeting of ONBA sunday, 15th, April at Paul’s in Steeple Aston
As usual, Paul was the perfect host and provided ample and very tasty nibbles for all. There was a bumper turnout of members, new and old. We split into… Continue reading
Spring is here
Spring is here
A month late, but, finally, spring is here. Harry and Melvin are pleased to report that all three colonies have made it through their first winter. They have been out foraging and we are so pleased to… Continue reading
November update
November update
Hello all,
Harry and Melvin had a call regarding what we were told were two ‘swarms’ last week. When we arrived at the site of the bees in Kidlington, all was revealed. A very small colony had set up… Continue reading
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