flowers

One minute we think we've left the cold months behind us, the next we're blasted with wintry conditions - even here in Devon. It's March and I'm worried about the honey bees. The colonies themselves will be in their winter clusters snug and warm in their hives keeping their core hive temperature at around 35^oC whatever the weather but while the cold snap continues, they won't be foraging outside but relying on their dwindling food stores.

Staring out of the window yesterday on another wet and cold day, didn't make me want to don my wellies and get out into the garden, but the bees need us to help them survive. Springtime is when the foragers will be out flying after the winter months and depending on how much food they have left in their hives will determine how hungry they are. It's a critical time as bees can die of starvation at this time of year if they can't find sufficient food.