Hi, I’m Gillian the beekeeper and I fell into this excellent
project by happy accident, so the bees and I would like to welcome to you to
our B Log from the Gatwick apiary.
Gatsbee Apiary in Ashley's Field
As it’s a project about biodiversity, our philosophy is about wildlife rather than honey...
...but the odd pot or two is always a bonus.
Last season, Tom and Rachel soon became hooked on beekeeping
and with their background of conservation and preservation, it seems
appropriate for us to provide as natural a life as possible for the bees while
trying not to let them go completely wild.
We recently moved Diana's (one of our queen bees) hive into the natural copse after
the weather had been cold for several days, and propped a large branch over the
entrance so that when the bees came out, they would know that their house had
moved and think that their tree had fallen over. Think like a bee!
The bees cluster together in the winter, and Eve's (another queen bee) colony is
under a glass cover for easy viewing. The colder the weather, the tighter the
ball of bees...
...and this year I made a quilt for each hive out of an old
cotton duvet cover, filled with sawdust, which will hopefully contain the
warmth and absorb some of the moisture the girls create while keeping
themselves warm by beating their wing muscles.
Brrr!
A couple of the bees braved the cold wind yesterday to go to
the loo or collect water to dissolve the old stores of honey, but the sun
didn't stay out long and they all rushed home before they got chilled. I know
the feeling!
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