A Bit of a Blur

There is a thing called the National Bee Unit (NBU), a state agency. It employs full and part-time Bee Inspectors, whose job is to promote good husbandry practice among beekeepers, particularly with regard to bee health. They also have a statutory role in enforcing disease control measures if certain 'notifiable' diseases are found in colonies. In extreme circumstances, this can include the destruction of the colonies, and sometimes also the hives

It is surprising that such an agency has survived the 'bonfire of the quangos' after 2010, and all the subsequent years of 'austerity' cuts and disengagement. Pehaps there is a secret beekeeper somewhere in Whitehall who manages to deflect attention whenever the waste-and-efficiency searchlight seems to be heading in their direction

Today the NBU sent out an alert that they are finding starving colonies, because the long, cold spring has prevented the bees from foraging enough to feed their growing numbers. A message like that appears in March in most years. To get one in late April is highly exceptional. The message arrived shortly after we had delivered some feed to these bees, following a very brief, cursory look inside. It remains too cold and windy for thorough inspection. They are not starving, but we saw very little stored food, and some signs that they are restricting their expansion. The weather is improving, but better safe than sorry, and we don't want them living hand-to-mouth

Photography in a beekeeping veil has its downsides, and it's a pity the narrow depth of field has unfocused the yellow-faced bee below the entrance. Her presence provoked the photo. I think they have found some oilseed rape - a rarity at this apiary, but we have seen one distant field this year. She has combed off all the bright OSR pollen that has stuck to her body hairs, but either forgotten or can't reach her face

The distant OSR will be hard work for them, but the crush at the hive entrance suggests they are making the effort, even today