Season 2
S2 Ep 19: Bad news from the Apiary.
Sad news I am afraid. I went to visit the bees over Christmas to check on food levels and hive health, but sadly the colony had collapsed. I describe what I think has happened in this episode. There are signs of spring in the countryside though, so there are optimistic moments to be had including wo...
S2 Ep 18: Winter update, all seems good!
Welcome back, I had a few fun edits to start the podcast but have managed to hide them on the cutting room floor somehow. Quick winter update, stores are good, no condensation on the top of the bees, all seems ok. Fingers crossed.
S2 Ep 17: Winter bonnet is live.
End of October visit. Feeders all empty and removed. Celotex bonnet on top with metal roof. Bees looking good, nice big colony.
S2 Ep 16: Windy autumnal episode. Nearly there for winter.
A windy day in the apiary yesterday. Feeding is done for now, battening down the hatches for the long winter. The bees were still bringing pollen in, braving the rain and wind.
S2 Ep 11: Helicopter sound effects. Feeding paused. Varroa treatment week 2 checks.
A wonderful late summer visit to the bees. Local Helicopter pilots make themselves known as I talk over the days activities. Feeding will be paused to leave space for the winter bees to be created. Don't want to fill all the space with food just yet. Varroa treatment will continue.
S2 Ep 10: As the flowers fade, managing hives through late Summer
The golden haze of late summer transforms the apiary landscape into a sea of beige, punctuated only by the occasional cowslip, ragwort, and thistle. Standing here on August 17th, the silence is almost deafening – a stark contrast to the vibrant buzz of high summer just weeks ago. This pivotal moment...
S2 Ep 9: Taking honey, varroa treatment starts. Winter prep begins.
Today I talk about taking off a couple of supers, one for me and one left for the bees. Varroa treatment starts today, 6-8 weeks to go. Hive is now reconfigured for winter. One super under the brood box, ready to move back on top in the spring.
S2 Ep 8: Bee investigates me, varroa considerations.
An audio chat from beside the hive, varroa monitoring using CO2 and a bee has a good check on my bee suit.
S2 Ep 7: Beekeeper’s diary update. Mid July ‘25.
Adding supers, brood is booming. Mid summer check in.
S2 Ep 6: Ringlets, nectar and chilled bees.
A hot visit to the hive to check on the new colony’s growth. Sweaty but productive.