So like many other beekeepers around the country, I've taken the opportunity to have a look at my colonies in this unseasonably warm weather.
I only had two colonies going into winter, one strong, the other less so.
The inspection has shown that the strong one is doing well but the other one is queenless although with reasonable numbers and stores.
I have donated a frame of eggs across from the strong colony in the hope that they'll raise a queen.
However, am I wasting my time doing this so early in the season? Even if a queen is successfully reared, surely there won't be any drones around for her to mate with for quite a while yet, even if we've seen the back of winter and spring is well and truly on the way.
I only had two colonies going into winter, one strong, the other less so.
The inspection has shown that the strong one is doing well but the other one is queenless although with reasonable numbers and stores.
I have donated a frame of eggs across from the strong colony in the hope that they'll raise a queen.
However, am I wasting my time doing this so early in the season? Even if a queen is successfully reared, surely there won't be any drones around for her to mate with for quite a while yet, even if we've seen the back of winter and spring is well and truly on the way.