Of the four hives now deployed one is empty, one is occupied by a queenless colony, one has a healthy colony building well while the fourth hive contains two colonies separated by two queen excluder followers where a communal honey store now contains two feeder jars. Hopefully this latter space (the middle third of the hive), will soon be their shared honey store.
My bait hive is now deployed near to a feral colony which is within the church stonework and hopefully I shall be able to capture another swarm that will soon be put into the empty hive.
At that point I anticipate being in a position to shake down the queenless colony so that the flying bees will return to any newly cought swarm and boost their number.
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Eight frames of comb - This colony has a hive to themselves. Viewing panels on both sides and a veroa tray under the mesh floor |
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One comb removed and here I see some brood |
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The other side has honey stores building up |
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The hinged top lid makes inspection very much easier |
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Two queen excluders form the centre section and keep the colonies at each end apart. |
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Sugar syrup feed jars |
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| Behind the queen excluder is a recent caught swarm |
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Combs at this end have been formed without foundation |
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An earlier cought swarm at the other end was given several top bars with some foundation on |
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Foundation seen at this end partly drawn out. The sealing gasket neoprene is tacked on as a draught proofer. |
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