I have been checking my bees today (mid-March) and found they were flying and bringing pollen into the hive. Always a welcome sign that the queen is laying and there is brood to be fed. However, I am aware of the scarcity of pollen sources around at the moment so I was really pleased to see the beautiful blackthorn blossom this morning. No sooner had the little white buds appeared on the tree when a marauding band of long tailed tits turned up and started nibbling away at them! Hopefully, they won'tdo too much damageand the blossom will open and flower. The magnolia flowers are also just startingto peep out of their buds and -the real sign that Spring is finally on its way-the flowering currant is poised, ready to burst forth in deep pink cascades of flowers! The old beekeepers always maintain that the hive should not be opened until the flowering currant is in flower. From the weather this year, I don't think they are far wrong.
展开▼
