Thursday 14 June 2012

Dale Abbey swarm

Just got back from housing a swarm in Dale Abbey, a few miles north-east of Derby. Apparently they had been there for four days with the warm spell on Sunday being the trigger. I was surprised to find them still there. As I arrived it was getting dark, the wind was getting up and it was starting to rain so I didn't want to faff about. I used a recently made weighty18"x18" bait box and, as they had been out in the open for so long, added a top feeder with two litres of 50/50 syrup for good measure. If the weather over the next few days is a bad as predicted at least they can power-up and made a start on building their new home. They were as good-as-gold and the whole procedure, including the round trip to get there, took less than forty minutes. If they stay I will go back and collect them over the weekend (and take some pictures which I forgot in my haste due to the rain). All I need to do if find somewhere for them be permanently sited - Any ideas? 

Had three more calls regarding bumble bee nests but was able to persuade them all that they don't constitute any real threat and will die-out come winter. I think I need  a pre-recorded message on my mobile as I seem to have made this little speech many time over the last few weeks. "For swarms press one, for bumblebees press two, for....."  Hopefully it gives me some confidence when I do my bit volunteering for the Bumblebee Conservation Trust during Gardeners' World LIVE this weekend. The weather doesn't look too good for the next few days so a lot bee related chat and some retail therapy might be just the ticket.

Regards
Boyd   

3 comments:

  1. Boyd if you don't get any takers Jane (the lady with the Warre hive) would gladly have them off you.

    Dave

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  2. You can put them in the other side of my TBH if you're stuck but I probably won't be around ;-)

    Pete

    ReplyDelete
  3. Always got space for swarms. Ring me if you want me to collect.

    Tim.

    ReplyDelete