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NEW ZEALAND BEEKEEPER, DECEMBER 2016
Swarm numbers seem greater this year after a few years of low numbers, meaning our swarm-collecting members are being run off their feet. It remains to be seen if this is a consequence of more people keeping bees. This may have to be addressed in more depth at club field days. Last field day was once again well attended by new beekeepers looking for information and bees. Beeline Supplies from Dunedin came up and supplied equipment selling several starter kits. Although this is a very busy time for beekeeping, have a great Christmas and New Year.
WEST COAST
The sudden explosion of buttercup, broom, and wineberry is currently providing the bees with a small banquet of nutritional diversity. Unfortunately, intermittent weather is still restricting their foraging opportunities; therefore, supplementary feeding is still required. Pollen reserves are, however, building up nicely, particularly due to the bees with their lovely golden manes as they return from gathering the broom pollen. The native quintinia tree is beginning to flower as at early November, which could result in some interesting honey flavours appearing in the hives if the weather settles. Weather conditions have been turbulent at times but thankfully this hasn’t deterred our virgin queens from heading out on their mating flights, with improved percentages in contrast to last year. The onset of wineberry seems to kick off the swarming impulse throughout the area; however, we seem to be experiencing fewer swarmy hives appearing than expected. A combination of late snow falling in the hills, and inland frosts may have been responsible for the slight delay in plants flowering, resulting in a more manageable rate of hive buildup. However, we have been receiving calls regarding rogue/feral swarms appearing in the town, which we try to collect to avoid any risk of diseases and varroa potentially spreading throughout the region. On that note, it was great to see our friendly new disease inspector doing his rounds this month. We have been noticing quite an influx of new beekeepers trucking in more hives into the area, which is a constant reminder to remain vigilant in monitoring signs of disease throughout your operation.
- Lindsay Moir
Photo taken by 15-year-old Emily Woods, Opotiki.
SOUTH CANTERBURY
- Carla Glass
We have had a glorious flowering of trees, shrubs, etc in spite of a dry start to October. We have had good showers of rain throughout October and also into early November (at least 80–100 millimetres). This has really fuelled the grass growth. The dandelion flow was short and sharp; not as long as some previous years, but the hives certainly filled the brood boxes well with it, with some hives producing a full box of honey. Queen wasps seem to be in abundance this spring. Hives are well into producing queen cells and swarming. The turbulent weather has had us in suspense waiting to see how queen mating turns out. A case of AFB was discovered locally and reported. This was possibly caused by feeding honey/water to birds in the winter/spring. This incident followed a theme of awareness for bees in local newspapers during September’s Bee Aware Month. These articles highlighted why feeding honey water to birds is not a good idea. A further article put in a local paper reminded the general public of what happened (beehives having to be burnt with $400–500 up in smoke) with the transfer of AFB spores. Feeding honey water to birds might not seem like a big deal, but it actually is. Also, a continuing reminder of the bee-friendly trees and shrubs home gardeners can plant is important. These are two ongoing things the general public can help with. They are interested and want to help. Best of luck for a good honey flow: things are looking good at the present time.
- Noel Trezise
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