Hi all,
Thanx for this, Paul.
Please could you put my numbers on the swarm register?
Landline: 01993 812840
Mobile: 07787437486
My postcode is: OX20 1RG
I have a new hive ready and waiting for first occupants! Blenheim said No
(after saying Yes 🥴) so I’m giving up my morning coffee spot & hive is in
the morning sun at the end of the garden. Neighbours all happy. Can’t
wait!!
Best Jeannie
On Fri, 12 Apr 2019 at 16:28, Richard Sheehan <rickysheehan@xxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Paul,
Thanks very much for the heads up and the advice, can I also just ask if
you can correct my number on the swarm register - should be 07827779151.
Doing my best to avoid another year with no bees.
Many thanks,
Regards,
Rich
Sent from my iPad
On 12 Apr 2019, at 3:55 pm, Andrew Bax <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
… sorry! For clearer board read follower board. Andrew
*From:* Andrew Bax <andrew.bax@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
*Sent:* 12 April 2019 15:50
*To:* 'oxnatbees@xxxxxxxxxxxxx' <oxnatbees@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
*Subject:* RE: [oxnatbees] Re: Swarm preparation
One of my hybrid hives has just swarmed and, obligingly, the cluster was
within easy reach. The hive it came from has an entrance at each end and
can be divided by a clearer board so I plan to return the swarm to the same
hive and re-unite the two parts in a month or two. Andrew
*From:* oxnatbees-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <oxnatbees-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> *On
Behalf Of *Helen Nunn
*Sent:* 12 April 2019 15:38
*To:* oxnatbees <oxnatbees@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
*Subject:* [oxnatbees] Re: Swarm preparation
Thank you Paul. This was such a useful email. I opened my two TBHs on
Wednesday and one is completely full on 21 bars so I'm expecting that to
swarm as soon as it can. There was no need to move honey bars as the brood
was pretty much up to the end anyway. The other hive was on 10 bars and
again, no solid honey to move, so I think they will just expand (they were
a swarm last year).
Thanks again
Helen
On Fri, 12 Apr 2019 at 10:22, Oxnatbees <oxnatbees@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Swarms were reported in Suffolk and Hampshire on 8th April. People are
reporting scouts checking out bait hives in Lancashire & Sussex. We've
probably got 1-3 weeks before they start here.
If your strong hive suddenly seems weak, with remarkably few flyers, look
around. You may find a swarm hanging nearby.
if your hive swarms *make a note of the date. *They may well throw out
afterswarms 7-8 days later. (It's at this point you may hear piping,
tooting, quacking as the new queens negotiate, kill each other etc.)
*Signs of imminent swarming:*
- Large, bustling colony running out of room. In my experience hives
don't often swarm if they were only established last year, though some
particularly strong ones do.
- In particular, a huge rise in numbers without a matching increase in
comb - resulting in clusters of bees hanging under comb but not "chaining"
to build new comb
- Drones present (Will has seen these)
- Hot, settled weather - a few days of baking sun is a trigger.
Although they prefer to swarm above 20C, we have a long warm dry spell
ahead, peaking around 17C in a week.
- Amount of pollen being gathered rises dramatically (hundreds of bees
arriving a minute with full pollen baskets) just before swarming
- Sound of the hive changes to a steady, deep monotone hum a few
minutes before swarming. (This is the drones, their wings beat at a deeper,
louder tone than workers').
Best get your swarm collection kit ready:
- Sheet
- Protective gear
- Ventilated box
- Duct tape
- Feather / bee brush
- Water, mobile phone / camera, snack (for you)
- Make sure you have a hive set up ready for the bees
- Scent bait boxes eg with comb / wax cappings, propolis, 1-2 drops of
lemongrass oil
Below is the latest list of who is after swarms. If you have, or hear of,
a spare one remember we try to re-home them near their point of origin.
Paul
*OxNatBees Swarm notification list 2019 (organised by region)*
*Name*
*Location*
*Postcode*
*Contact info*
*Swarms wanted*
*Notes*
*North Oxfordshire*
Paul Honigmann
Steeple Aston
OX25 4SR
01869 340665 / 07512 224700
2
Jeannie Donald-McKim
Bladon
1
*Prioritise: no bees*
Dawn Gosling
Banbury
07949 095170
1
*Lower priority by request*
Santa Eglite
Banbury
OX15 6EH
07792 722230
2
*Prioritise: no bees*
Sarah Pulvertaft
Taston (N of Woodstock)
OX7 3JL
07914 582688
1
Zuzana Meryova
Long Hanborough
07733 305440
2
Simon Morton
Chipping Norton
07508 760751
2
*East Oxfordshire*
Richard Sheehan
Great Hasely
OX44 7JU
7827779151
2
*Prioritise: no bees*
Stefanie Taeumer
Watlington
OX49 5DN
07818 858942
1
Karl Pattison
Bicester
01869 247995, 07779 850850
0
*Has offered to catch swarms for others*
Magalie Valadier
Great Missenden HP16 9LQ (Bucks)
07950 525962
1
*Best to text if she does not pick up*
*Central Oxfordshire*
Jon Woods
Boars Hill / Abingdon
07770 415638
1
Ann Poulter
Central Oxford
07773 671034
2
Jane and Patrick Denby
Central Oxford (near Oxford Brookes)
OX3 0BT
07920 485756, 07401 423693
1
*Prioritise: no bees*
Jane and Phil
Wolvercote
OX2 8PP
01865 559556, 01865 429388, 07974 821864
2
Brian and Faith
Summertown
07722 959882, 01865 512614
1
Will H
Headington, central Oxford
07770 932669
4
*Two apiaries.*
Sam Acton
Rose Hill,Oxford
OX4
07811 727787
1
*Prioritise: no bees*
Cressida Battersby
West Oxford
OX2 9AS
01865 248742
1
*Prioritise: no bees*
*West Oxfordshire*
Mariella
Charlbury
07709 970376
1
Marc and Lisa
Bampton / Witney
07921 491 605 / 07855 768653
1
Sharon Nichols
Farmoor
07960 027660
1
Gilliane Sills
Hinksey Hill
01865 721644, 07854 761302
2
Gary Peacock
Eynsham
07740 373128 (work) 07799 606041 (personal)
2
*South Oxfordshire*
Keith Richards
Brightwalton
07810 554277
2
*Total still wanted (last year:47)*
*35*
*Swarm collection charges:*
A swarm we tell you of, but you go collect it yourself:
No charge
A swarm someone else catches for you, you then pick it up from them:
You pay them £15
A swarm someone else catches for you, and they deliver it to you:
You pay them £30
*This charge covers the collector's time & expense. No guarantees offered
with swarms.*
