BBKA Winter Survival Survey 2010 -2011

[Headfry]

Hi there folks.....

Dont forget the winter survival survey forms need to be sent in by 30th April



I went into winter with two colonies (in National hives) and came out of winter with two colonies..... a very happy HF we saw -18.5 in our area with many days not getting above -3 deg !!! and some of those days were sunny!

ps its a survey for registered bee keepers (bees kept in hives) sorry I did not make that clear before

[ginger ninger]

Have you got a link for it HF please? I've seen some honey bees in my little garden over the weekend.

[Headfry]

Hi ginger, what a beautiful morning I hope your day has started the same

I think the bee survival survey is for registered bee keepers only (bees kept in hives) ....sad to say. We get one every year as we are members of the Oxfordshire bee keepers (OBKA) who are part of the British Bee Keepers Ass (BBKA)
My fault I did not make it very clear in my first email , oh dear

[BigShot]

we saw -18.5 in our area with many days not getting above -3 deg !!!

That's probably why you had a good winter. The colder it is, the more the bees slow down and the less food they use. More honey for you come the spring (assuming you leave it on over the winter, that is) and less chance of starvation.

It's the mild winters that are a worry.

Spring doesn't seem late this year though, which is a pity. A late one is always good for keeping Varroa counts low.