I got the drone out today after 6 months of not being used and got this pic of the farm bees in mid February.

In the home apiary there are 23 full hives and 10 nucs (small hives) 🐝💤💤💤

Most of these hive were on the heather and it’s great because as well as bringing me in some heather honey, their brood boxes are packed with plenty of honey to get through the winter.

Most of the nucs here were made in early September and although they built up fast with winter bees some of them are now starting to get a little light and may need some fondant to get them through to spring. Usually the ivy would give them most of what they need but last autumn the ivy didnt really produce much.

I've another few in the orchard but most of these will be moved out around Dublin in a few weeks 🐝💤💤💤

Really itching to go back at the #bees. But for now it's making equipment and preparation for the season ahead 👷‍♂️👷‍♂️👷‍♂️