All About The Bees

Visitors to the reserve over the last couple of weeks may have heard a strange sound coming from the observation beehive inside the field centre. This was the singing or rather 'piping' of a newly hatched Queen bee who was trying to discover whether or not she was the only one of her kind! However, it transpired that there was a second Queen bee which led to another swarm on Friday afternoon. Here you can see the cluster of bees developing on the outside of the building close to the entrance to the hive.

The beekeepers were quick to respond as usual and came fully equipped with beekeeping suits and a skep to put the honey bees into. 

They were encouraged gently with a soft brush.

Once contained in the special basket, they could be taken away to another hive. Apologies for the somewhat blurry photographs which were taken from a safe distance!

In some ways this was good timing as the Richmond and District Beekeepers' Association (RDBKA) held a two day course at Foxglove over the weekend! 

Does anybody know the collective noun for beekeepers?