BBKA Forum

Noticed a little light pollen today on some foragers and didn't really take much notice as I was moving the hives 3 or 4 feet towards a new standing area , but assume it was Hazel as that is prominent early source around here.

Our first Snowdrop are now out, daffs and crocus miles away.
Found my first hazel catkins in a sheltered wood...but they are so young they have yet to produce pollen.
The good news is the temps are set to rise into double figures for the first time in what seems months....well a predicted 10C....but factor in the wind chill factor and no bees flying...DOH!
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I've still not seen any snow drops flowering. Crocus have only just popped up and daffodil's are in bud but bees don't work em.

Been watching hive entrances today and not seen any pollen going in, but didn't stay long.

Although warm enough its been far too windy for the bees to collect pollen. Hazel is probably halfway through flowering as its been in flower since before Christmas. Snowdrops just appearing which are late and 1st Cherry Plum in flower which is 2 weeks early. Its all messed up. Once its warm and calm enough the Spring forage will be over before the bees got to it. Hence my relyance on pollen sub.

The bees are bringing lots of pollen back , all yellow.

Some lighter yellow for me as well as loads of OSR pollen. Some brick red occasionally (Blackthorn I would guess).

Much like Chris, all my bees are bringing yellow pollen in. No OSR round here as far as I know.

I'm the level below beginner with pollen and identifying plants, but I have a couple of friends I can ask to ID pretty much any plant (which is useful). So far in our area we have:

Blackthorn
Celandine
Pussy Willow - just starting I think
Gorse (just a few dotted about)
Ribwort Plantain

Whether they're much use, I do not know

Gorse pollen is good stuff Jazz.

testing image link
Lots of this pollen coming in today.

if the pic isn't shown here's the link https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve-chadbond/shares/hjg910

Mine where piling it in today on the first warm day of the year the list goes as..Gorse/Goat Willow/Blackthorn/Wild Cherry and OSR.