Newbattle Beekeepers Association Bee-Blog

Registration to attend the Scottish Beekeepers Association 2026 AGM closes on 12 April

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 15:38:54 GMT

The AGM takes place on Saturday 25th of April, from 10.30am, atSRUC Craibstone Campus in Aberdeen.

This is an important opportunity to take part in the running of the Scottish Beekeepers Association, hear updates on the past year, and have your say on key matters. The AGM will also include the presentation of awards, recognising the achievements and contributions of members, followed by what promises to be an engaging and informative afternoon talk by Dr Johanna Yourstone and breakout sessions.

Attend in person if you are able; it’s always a great chance to catch up, celebrate successes, and enjoy the talk together. Plus, there's a chance to win a microscope!

To register your attendance, please click here. Registration closes on the 12th of April.

If you are unable to attend, you can still ensure your voice is heard by submitting a proxy vote. Download the proxy voting form as a Word doc here or as a PDF here, and please email it to the Scottish Beekeepers Association General Secretary by noon on the 24th April secretary@scottishbeekeepers.org.uk

The agenda and details of all resolutions and trustee nominations received, as well as the meeting papers, can be found in the Members' area of the Scottish Beekeepers Association website. This is a new portal, so you need to follow the instructions on the homepage to log in for the first time.

Call for Volunteers in the Honey Tent at the Royal Highland Show - 18 - 21 June 2026

Sun, 05 Apr 2026 18:01:31 GMT

The Scottish Beekeepers Association is calling for volunteer beekeepers to share their knowledge with visitors to the Honey Tent. There are around 10,000 visitors per day to the Showgrounds and many of them vist the honey tent.

Volunteering is a great way to meet other beekeepers and to share your enthusiasm with the public.

To register yourself as a volunteer please complete the online form at the link:

Congratulations to our Vice Chair & Apiary Subgroup Lead - Martin Vevers

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 18:35:21 GMT

Martin has recently passed his Apiarian and Expert Beemaster Examination.

The final part of the examination was for him to deliver a presentation on an aspect of beekeeping to an audience of at least 15 people. Two examiners observed him doing this.

Martin delivered his presentation - Drone Laying Queens and Laying Workers at the March monthly meeting attended by 23 people including the examiners.

The Secrets of the Bees - A Film Made Over Three Years - To Be Released On April 1

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 14:42:19 GMT

Watch the film Here

National Honey Monitoring Scheme - Spring Sample Packs Requests Open Soon

Sat, 21 Mar 2026 10:50:48 GMT

Spring 2026 Sample Pack Requests Reopen Soon!

Sample pack requests for the 2026 season will reopen on Wednesday 25^th March around 9.30 a.m. Requests will close once they receive 300 submissions, and packs will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. There will be another opportunity to request a sample pack in July of this year.

❓How do I request a sample pack?

Log in to your National Honey Monitoring Scheme account

Head to the "Taking Part" page and follow the instructions.

Important: Sample Packs & Eligibility

You can only order one sample pack at a time (limited to one pack per beekeeper and per household). If your Sample History (on the “Taking Part” page) shows a status of “Pack Sent”, you will not be able to request a new one just yet. This might be because:

You received a pack in a previous year, but have not returned it.

You returned your sample, but it has not been marked as “received” or you requested a pack and it never arrived (unfortunately they go missing in the post very occasionally).

If you have a pack from a previous year, you can use this to send in samples for 2026. If you have misplaced your pack, or fall into category (b), then please contact us at Honey@ceh.ac.uk so we can update your sample status and ensure you're eligible to make a new pack request.

Please note: The inbox will be monitored from Tuesday 24^th March onwards, so you may not receive a response before this date.

️ Coverage Areas for 2026

To ensure we produce the highest-quality scientific outputs from the resources available to us, we need to focus on areas where we have up‑to‑date, fine‑scale, satellite‑derived habitat and land‑cover data.

While we would love to include every hive, unfortunately we are unable to analyse honey from locations outside the areas covered by our Land Cover Maps. We completely understand this may be disappointing, but we hope the situation will change in the future. This year we are therefore unable to send sample packs to the following locations:

The Channel Islands

The Isle of Man

The Isle of Wight

⏭️What Happens After You Make a Pack Request:

You will receive an automatic email stating “pack requested”.

We will review all the submissions to remove any duplicate requests and ensure an even geographic spread across the UK.

You will receive an automatic email stating "pack sent" once your request has been approved and your pack has been dispatched. If we are unable to proceed with your request, we will get in touch with you directly.

If your pack does not arrive within three weeks of the "pack sent" notification, please contact us at Honey@ceh.ac.uk (after checking your email address is correct on your account).

Please review our FAQ page if you wish to find out more about the results you will receive and when you can expect them.

You can also learn more about the analysis process on our “How it works” page.

The Latest Blog Post from the Walrus and the Honey Bee - Don't Overlook Honeybee Nutrition

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 14:36:01 GMT

the walrus and the honeybee - don't overlook honeybee nutrition

click on the link above to read the blog post

For members of BIBBA - Notice of AGM - Monday 23 March @ 19.00 Via Zoom

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 12:31:32 GMT

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of BIBBA will be held on:

Date: Monday 23 March 2026 Time: 19:00 GMT Location: Via Zoom

If you are a member:

**You must register in advance if you wish to attend the Zoom AGM - **Register Here

You will be able to ask questions about the Trustees Report and Accounts during the meeting and there will also be the opportunity to ask questions or offer suggestions at the end of the meeting. You are invited to submit any questions to the Committee (via email to secretary@bibba.com) by no later than** Sunday 22 March**. You may also submit questions via the chat facility during the meeting.

Book your place - Scottish Beekeepers Association March Webinar - Tuesday 10 March - Gino Jabbar - Honey Judging

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 12:57:04 GMT

March Webinar

Our last winter webinar of this series is with our webinar host Dr Gino Jabbar. On Tuesday 10^th March at 7.30pm (GMT), Gino will talk us through the different systems of honey judging. The UK and Irish, Italian and French systems of honey judging will be summarised, and the philosophies of each discussed.

To book your place, please click on the image above or the link below

BOOK PLACE

Dr Gino Jabbar is a Physicist, Bee Farmer, and Honey Sensory Analyst with a small bee farming business, Simply Honey, based in Edinburgh and the Lothians. He is a Scottish Expert Bee Master, Scottish Honey Judge, and a member of the prestigious Italian National Register of Experts in the Sensory Analysis of Honey. He is an International Honey Judge for Le Concours Des Miels De France, Tre Gocce D’Oro Grandi Mieli D’Italia, and the International organic honey awards Biol Miel. In addition, to Show Judging closer to home in Scotland. He is actively involved with Honey education and contributes to new science as a member of the International Honey Commission. He serves as a trustee for The Scottish Beekeepers Association, is the director with responsibility for Scotland for the Bee Farmers Association, and most recently Co-founded and is Chairman of the Honey Guild of the United Kingdom. A honey organisation with the aims of characterising UK honeys, providing professional training in Honey Sensory Analysis, and driving a Honey culture within the UK.

These beekeeping webinars are free to SBA Members, you just need to register your attendance beforehand for access on the night.

Swarm Management Workshop - The Bee Academy - Saturday 14 March

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 20:08:10 GMT

Honey is a common target for food fraudsters

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 11:52:12 GMT

Honey is frequently among the most common foods that are faked.

Read the news article on the BBC website

Do you use WhatsApp using an Android Device? - There is a Bug - Read the Malwarebytes News for advice

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 13:28:24 GMT

Malwarebytes - News - click Here

Midlothian Volunteer Recruitment Fair - 10:00 - 14:30, 26 February - Dalkeith

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 19:54:31 GMT

Midlothian’s Volunteer Recruitment Fair is taking place on 26 February, 10:00 - 14:30, at St John’s and King’s Park Church in Dalkeith. Drop in to learn more about local volunteering roles with organisations right across Midlothian. (More info here).

Module Examinations - March diet - Applications Close 9 February

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 12:33:01 GMT

Do you want to sit any of the Scottish Beekeepers Association Module Exams in March?

You must register and pay the exam Fee (£42) no later than 9 February.

Also to sit the module exams you must be a current member of the Scottish Beekeepers Association.

Links to Magazine Websites

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 13:01:03 GMT

Here are the links to four magazine websites, two American and two British.

SBA Webinar - Wednesday 11 February @ 19.30 - Bottom-Up Beekeeping with Ray Baxter

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 12:50:40 GMT

To sign up click on the link

BBC Sounds - The Food Programme - The Honey Trap

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 12:45:07 GMT

After concerns that honey from overseas is being watered down with cheap rice and corn syrups, Sheila Dillon investigates the scale of global honey fraud. It's a story of complex international supply chains with the world's food security at its heart.

Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Robin Markwell

Listen - Click Here

The Walrus & the Honey Bee - Latest Blog Post - Honey Bee Research vs Reality

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 12:39:42 GMT

Read the Blog Post - Click Here

First Finding of Yellow Legged Asian Hornet in Wales

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 13:25:43 GMT

A dead nest of the Yellow-legged Asian Hornet has been found near Wrexham, in the first confirmed discovery of the insect in Wales.

Click on the link to see the announcement on the Welsh Government website

https://www.gov.wales/first-finding-yellow-legged-hornet-wales

Bees For Development - January Newsletter

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 12:09:23 GMT

ACHIEVING LONG-TERM IMPACT IN GHANA

Welcome to our January Bee Mail! This month, as our Beekeepers Restore Forests project in Ghana comes to an end, we explore the impact of three years of work inspiring people in Afram Plains to protect their environment and earn an income through beekeeping, and how this impact can continue beyond the lifespan of the project.

Buzz Club Coordinator Rejoice Azameti gives us an update on Bees for Development Ghana’s school beekeeping clubs and the plans to roll them out further, enabling more children to access this wonderful opportunity.

You’ll meet Eric Nyarko who has recently been appointed as Director of Bees for Development Ghana. Learn about his background and his vision for the future of sustainable beekeeping in Ghana.

Help us continue this important work in Ghana and around the world by becoming a regular giver. Monthly donations help us plan our work and can make a big difference.

Set up a direct debit

Eric Nyarko is the newly appointed Director of Bees for Development Ghana. He is a seasoned development practitioner with over twenty years of experience in advocacy, leadership, partnerships development and management and multi-stakeholder engagement across Ghana.

Committed to inclusive, accountable, and sustainable development, Eric works to empower communities to take ownership of their development processes.

“True development happens when communities are empowered to lead and partnerships are grounded in trust, accountability and a shared purpose for sustainable impact.”

INSPIRING CHANGE IN YOUNG PEOPLE

A group picture of Atakora clubbers together with Rejoice displaying their sketch of honey bees with 'bee attitudes' labels

“I used to be afraid of bees and killed them whenever I saw them. Now I protect them instead.”

– Buzz Clubber Ntim Sammuel, at Donkorkrom E.P. School

In rural Ghana, where subsistence agriculture and community life are deeply intertwined, Buzz Clubs have emerged as an innovative response to the environmental challenges posed by these livelihood activities.

WHEN A PROJECT ENDS, THE WORK CONTINUES

Over the past 3 years much of our work in Ghana has been under the Beekeepers Restore Forests project in the Afram Plains.

This wide-ranging project, funded by The Darwin Initiative, has allowed us to tackle some of the region’s most pressing environmental and developmental needs through beekeeping.

Hornet Update

Sun, 11 Jan 2026 15:03:00 GMT

The latest reported nest discovery and destruction by NBU/APHA in the UK was on 11 November in Dorset, giving a total of 162 for 2025.

The Bee Academy Library - Books by Dr. Sara Robb - Available to Borrow Now

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 18:43:34 GMT

Dr. Sara Robb will be at the Bee Academy on 15 February 2026 at 13:00 to deliver her talk on Bee Cosmetics.

Don't forget to register if you are planning on being there.

Super Natural Cosmetics

You can make super natural cosmetics, with the honey, wax and propolis from your apiary. Dr Sara Robb will discuss ingredients from the hive and how they enhance cosmetic formulations. For example, the characteristics of honey—such as colour, flavour, and antioxidant levels—depend on its nectar source, making each variety unique. Using different honey types in cosmetic formulations allows beekeepers to produce distinct products, including soaps. During the session, Sara will demonstrate how to make Oat & Orange Beekeeper’s Soap, using her no-cure method. Same‑Day Soap is a cold‑process soap method that uses controlled chemistry to fully saponify the soap quickly, so you can use it or sell it the same day you make it! Finally, Sara will provide an overview of the steps required to sell cosmetics legally, for those beekeepers who would like to sell soaps, creams, and balms.

*****************

We have two books by Sara in the Bee Academy Library and both are available to borrow now.

To Visit the Bee Academy Library Website Click HERE

Two New Books in the Bee Academy Library - Available to Borrow Now

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 21:20:20 GMT

The latest additions to the Bee Academy library are two books very kindly donated by the Vice Chair of the Association Martin Vevers. Both are about pests that are a danger to Honey Bees.

1. The Asian Hornet - Threats, Biology & Expansion by Professor Stephen Martin and published by IBRA (International Bee Research Association) - Catalogue No. 642

2. The Small Hive Beetle Aethina tumid Murray by Wm.Michael Hood, Professor Emeritus Entomology at Emeritus College, Clemson University, South Carolina, USA

Available to borrow from the Bee Academy Library now.

Make your own honeybee lifecycle wheel

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 12:47:57 GMT

Matthew Richardson, president of the Scottish Beekeepers Association has created a free honey bee lifecycle wheel. It is available to print off and use for non-commercial purposes.

click on the link to access the wheel:

Bee Life-Cycle Ready Reckoner

Scottish Beekeepers Association - January Webinar - 7 January 19.30

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 14:14:14 GMT

January Webinar - Wednesday 7 January 19.30

The Scottish Beekeepers Association welcome Prof Stephen Martin, a familiar face to many who attended the last Scottish Beekeepers Association convention. Prof Martin will be discussing our native hornet, the European Hornet.

Prof Martin has studied social insects (bees, wasps, termites and ants) for most of his career. His areas of specialisation are the ‘hornet ecology’, ‘pest and diseases of honeybees’ and ‘chemical ecology of ants’. He holds a Chair in Social Entomology in the School of Environmental and Life Sciences at Salford University, Manchester. Prior to that he spent 12 years working at Sheffield University, 7 years with the National Bee Unit and 7 years in Japan conducting research into hornets.

These beekeeping webinars are free to SBA Members, you just need to register your attendance beforehand for access on the night. To book your place, please click on the link below

BOOK PLACE

New Library Book Arrival - Fit 2 Fight , a practical guide for managing the asian hornet by Alan Baxter

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 19:02:32 GMT

The 2025 second and updated version of this book is now available to borrow from the Bee Academy Library.

The book is aimed at beginners and more experienced beekeepers alike. The book contains the basic information needed as a starting point for planning the response needed to this new threat to the health and wellbeing of our colonies of honeybees.

There is increasing use of the term Yellow-Legged Asian Hornet.

There are two copies available to borrow.

A Date for your Diary - The Beekeeping Show - 21 February 2026

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 14:49:01 GMT

A trade show for beekeepers held at the Telford International Centre, International Way, Telford, TF3 4HJ.

Find out more about the show:

Here

The Big Give for Bees

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 14:15:27 GMT

From 2 - 9 December every donation made to two Bee Charities will be doubled through "The Big Give" which is itself a registered charity.

Bees For Development is fundraising for:

"Help Make Beekeeping Disability Inclusive"

They are delivering this programme in Uganda and Ghana to empower programme participants to make a living and earn respect.

Bees Abroad is fundraising for its project:

"Pollinating Progress"

This is a project being delivered in Nigeria to build beekeeping capacity for participating families.

If you wish to give or read more about the campaigns visit:

The Big Give

Hive Count 2025

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 14:03:51 GMT

The National Bee Unit (NBU) has opened its annual poll and asks all beekeepers to update their entry or register the the number of hives they have. Each apiary should have its own entry.

The information recorded helps the NBU tackle disease outbreaks and will help them in monitoring the spread of the yellow-legged Asian Hornet.

The survey is open until 31 December.

Enter your hive/apiary details:

Update or Register Here

Tropilaelaps - At the gate of your apiary - Now in the Bee Academy Library

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 15:46:33 GMT

Following the November monthly meeting when those members attending were able to watch a virtual presentation given by Maggie Gill on the parasitic mite, Tropilaelaps spp.

It is extending its range globally and may be coming to an apiary near you!

We now have copies of the book co-authored by Maggie in the Bee Academy Library.

Click Here to take you to the Library

See the Face Book Post discovered by Martin V (Asian Hornet Stings Can be Deadly)

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 11:57:39 GMT

Martin V came across a Facebook post (see below).

It reads

"Galicia on high alert after three deaths from Asian hornets"

The text in the photograph states

"Alert in Galicia three dead in two weeks due to attacks by velutina wasps"

A timely reminder that the sting is not like a wasp.

For your information a general comparison relating to hornet v wasp venom.

Feature	Asian Hornet Venom	Wasp Venom
Pain level	Often more painful due to higher levels of acetylcholine, a pain-intensifying chemical.	Pain is generally described as sharp and prickly.
Toxicity	Contains neurotoxins and cytotoxins, which can cause localized pain, swelling, and in severe cases, nausea, headache, and muscle damage.	Contains enzymes, amines, peptides, and other compounds that can cause allergic reactions, from minor skin irritation to anaphylactic shock.
Stinging behavior	Can sting multiple times and their stingers are not barbed, so they can withdraw them easily.	Can sting multiple times.
Allergic reactions	If you are allergic to wasp venom, you will likely be allergic to Asian hornet venom.	Can trigger allergic reactions from local irritation to anaphylactic shock.
Danger	Multiple stings from certain hornet species can be fatal due to highly toxic venom.	Multiple stings are rarely fatal, except in the case of allergic reactions.

Yellow-Legged Asian Hornets - NBU Confirmed Nests - 143 to date (Oct)

Sat, 25 Oct 2025 11:19:53 GMT

National Honey Day - Tuesday 21 October

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 11:14:13 GMT

National Honey Day is just around the corner, and is a day for celebrating honey produced by UK hobby beekeepers and bee farmers. Lets celebrate the bees and raise a glass of Mead on Tuesday!

It is estimated that we produce no more than 10% of the honey consumed in the UK.

Let us try and do our best to change that

Yellow-legged (Asian) Hornet Advice

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 15:32:19 GMT

Yellow-legged (Asian) Hornet Advice

With the yellow-legged (Asian) hornet being confirmed in Belfast, Scottish beekeepers are becoming increasingly concerned about the possibility of the Yellow-legged (Asian) hornet making an appearance here.

The Scottish Government’s 'Yellow-legged hornet: pest-specific contingency plan' sets out the official response that will be made by the relevant authorities. Click here to view the plan.

Scotland's beekeepers can play an important part by making sure they are able to correctly identify the Yellow-legged hornet and then report any sighting without delay. There is a handy guide which you can view and circulate by downloading here.

The Scottish Government has advised that the preferred mechanism for reporting a potential sighting is to use the Asian Hornet Watch App because it provides clear guidance on species differentiation and records location and contact detail information.

The app is available for both iPhone and Android operating systems and can be downloaded from the usual app providers or below

For iPhones click here

For Android click here

Members are encouraged to download the Asian Hornet Watch App and ensure that they are familiar with its content and use.

The Walrus and the Honey Bee - Podcast, Episode 19 - Treatment Free Beekeeping

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 09:28:36 GMT

Podcast

Episode 19 of the Podcast goes into more detail about his position on treatment-free beekeeping.

Click on the image to listen

YLH (Yellow-legged Asian Hornet) Moves further North!

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 15:06:49 GMT

This year is the worst year on record for credible sightings and nests destroyed.

The range of the insect has extended from the South of the UK to locations in the North.

Confirmed sightings are on record for North Yorkshire and Runcorn in Cheshire.

A reported sighting was also recorded for Cork in Ireland. This is the second hornet to be found in Ireland, the first being in Dublin in 2021.

Scottish Beekeepers Association Module Exams Registration Deadline Tuesday 30 September

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 15:51:57 GMT

Scottish Beekeepers Association - MODULE EXAMS DEADLINE

Every year the SBA run two diets of module exams where you can expand your honey bee and beekeeping knowledge. The next are on Saturday 15th November and the closing date to register to sit one of these module exams is less than 2 weeks away, Tuesday 30th Sept. To register please click here.

For more information on each of the modules and to download their current syllabus please click here. Please note the Recommended Reading List has been updated, and you can download that here.

If you have any questions or want to find out more, please contact Alan Riach the SBA Education Officer, via education@scottishbeekeepers.org.uk

Apivar Advice from the The Apiarist (David Evans) 20 Min Read

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 13:39:40 GMT

Read the Blog Post Here

Study for the November Diet of Scottish Beekeepers Association Module Exams

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 19:26:13 GMT

Winter Studies

Are you keen to develop your honeybee and beekeeping knowledge this year? Why not study for one of the Scottish Beekeepers Association beekeeping modules? The next diet of the module exams is on Saturday 15th of November, but registration for these exams closes on the 30th of September. To register please click here.

Please don't let the word 'Exam' put you off! There is tremendous satisfaction in unearthing new facts when preparing for these exams. And you're adding to your honeybee and beekeeping knowledge, which can only be a good thing. There's a variety of topics to choose from including the management of honey bees, their biology, behaviour, diseases and pests, to honey bee products and forage. The new Plants and Pollinators module is included in this round.

So why not think about studying for one or more of the modules and enjoy expanding your knowledge? To find out more please click here

The Walrus and the Honey Bee - How Varroa Weakens Your Bees

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 16:29:04 GMT

The latest Blog Post by Steve Donohoe looks at a recently published article in Scientific Reports

Read the Walrus Blog Post Here

The Bee Keeping Show 2026 - Saturday 21 February 2026, Telford International Centre

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 13:33:58 GMT

The Beekeeping Show takes place on Saturday 21 February 2026 at Telford International Centre.

It is the premier UK beekeeping trade show, attracting visitors and exhibitors from worldwide. 1,850+ visitors and 69 exhibitors are expected to attend.

The International Centre is within minutes of a national motorway and rail networks. There will be FREE on-site show day parking for show goers. Hotels are situated in close proximity to the venue.

Tickets are available via the show website:

http://www.thebeekeepingshow.co.uk

Welsh Beekeepers' Association Webinar with Jacques van Alphen on Thursday 11 September

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 11:48:19 GMT

Our friends at the Welsh Beekeepers' Association - Cymdeithas Gwenynwyr Cymru have another fascinating webinar coming up on the 11th Sep at 7.30pm with Jacques van Alphen, the title of which is ‘Honey Bees - A Natural & Less Natural History’

To register please visit

https://lnkd.in/euKb_ds8

Activate to view larger image,

Scientists make 'Superfood' for Honeybees

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 09:33:31 GMT

Scientists at Oxford University have developed a honeybee "superfood" that could protect the bees against the threats of climate change and habitat loss.

Click here to read the full story on the BBC Website

Updated Varroa Map for Scotland - Click on the link in the post to view

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 11:09:14 GMT

Updated Varroa Map

As part of the Honey Bee Health Strategy’s Implementation Plan, the Varroa map, first introduced in 2023, was developed to help identify areas in Scotland where particular care is needed to prevent the spread of Varroa to regions that are still free of the pest.

One noticeable highlight from the promotion and communications of this, was the partnership with NorthLink Ferries, who kindly agreed to display the poster at their ports and on board their vessels, helping us reach beekeepers travelling between mainland Scotland and the Orkney Islands.

In keeping with our commitment to provide up-to-date information, the Scottish Government’s Honey Bee Health Team has completed a biannual update of the Varroa map. This update incorporates new data from BeeBase and reports from Scottish beekeepers to reflect:

Areas where Varroa has been reported present

Areas with mixed reports (i.e. some localised presence or absence)

Areas with no reported cases of Varroa

Key changes include:

No part of Skye and Raasay currently has a sufficient number of Varroa-free beekeepers to define the area as ‘free’; the entire island has therefore been reclassified as ‘mixed’

A slight expansion has been recorded in the area of Mull

On a positive note, all samples submitted from Orkney continue to show no reported cases of Varroa

The updated Varroa map and flyer can be downloaded and printed by clicking on the links below

Updated Varroa map

Updated Varroa flyer

If you would like to contact the Scottish Government Bee Health Team please email Bees_Mailbox@gov.scot

Varroa Treatment Available to Order via the Online Shop

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 13:26:32 GMT

Get your order in now via the online shop for your Autumn varroa treatments. You can order single strips which will allow you to purchase only the amount you require to treat your bees

. Dosage and Placement:

Dosage: Two strips are used per brood chamber.
Placement: The strips are suspended mid-way between brood frames, ensuring bees can walk on both sides. One strip is typically placed between frames 3 & 4, and the other between frames 7 & 8 within the brood chamber.
Small Colonies: Nuclei or small colonies may only require one strip, placed near the centre of the brood chamber.
Honey Supers: Do not place strips in honey supers.

2. Timing:

End of Season: Treatment is often done at the end of the season, after the last honey harvest.
Spring/Summer: Apistan can be used in the spring when temperatures are above 15°C.
Avoid Low Temperatures: Do not use Apistan when the maximum daily temperature is expected to be below 15°C.

3. How it Works:

The active ingredient, tau-fluvalinate, is picked up by bees as they walk on the strips.
The active ingredient is then transferred to other bees and mites within the colony as they interact.
The strips continue to release the active ingredient over the treatment period.

4. Removal:

Strips should be removed after six weeks.
Remove strips carefully, ensuring bees don't chill during the process.
Dispose of used strips properly, wrapping them in paper and placing them in domestic refuse.

Monitoring: It's recommended to monitor mite-fall during and after treatment.

Rotation: Rotate between different chemical treatments every two to three years to prevent resistance.

Safety: Wear gloves when handling the strips.

Insect Boom for UK

Sat, 26 Jul 2025 10:16:17 GMT

See the full article on the BBC website:

In the News -The Insect Population is Booming

Wasps are back this Summer in the UK - a lot of them

Sat, 26 Jul 2025 09:15:24 GMT

Thornes of Scotland Sale Days - Friday 8 August (13.00 - 17.00) & Saturday 9 August (09.00 - 12.00)

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 18:26:14 GMT

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THORNES OF SCOTLAND

Friday 8h August: 1:00pm - 5:00pm

Saturday 9th August: 9:00am - 12:00noon

Our annual Sale Days are fast approaching, and first up is our Newburgh branch in Scotland!

SHOP SALE

As well as our usual bargains, we will be offering our wax exchange service at our Sale Days.

Here's a glimpse at some of the sale prices:

National Super: £17.50

National Brood: £22

National 14"x12": £38

National 4" Roof: £25

National Open Mesh Floor: £18

National Crownboard: £7.50

50 x SN1/DN1 Frames: £28

50 x SN4/DN4 Frames: £32

50 x 12"x14" Frames: £42

SHOP SALE

As well as our usual bargains, we will be offering our wax exchange service at our Sale Days.

Winter Loss Survey - Deadline to Participate - 23.00hrs Saturday 28 June

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 09:01:25 GMT

Winter Loss Survey Closing Soon

Thank you so much to everyone who has already completed this year's winter loss survey. The online survey closes at 11pm this Saturday (28th June), so there's just a little time left to share your winter data. The responses provide a valuable picture of beekeeping in Scotland, with a strong focus on colony losses and colony management practice. Data from this survey will also contribute, in anonymised form, to our annual data return to the COLOSS group's international database used to study colony losses and potential risk factors for colony loss. This provides valuable information on colony losses in many different countries.

We are asking for your participation in the survey online and we very much hope that you will take a few minutes to fill in the responses. There are a few questions for non-beekeepers and relatively new beekeepers, as well as more questions for established beekeepers in Scotland. If you have the relevant information to hand, the full survey (consisting of 15 short question groups) should take no more than about 10 to 15 minutes. It is possible to re-visit earlier questions if you need to do that, using the options at the foot of the page.

A diagram which may be helpful in completing the colony loss questions can be found above or by clicking here.

You will be given an opportunity to provide us with your contact details, but if you choose not to do so, there is no way in which the survey organisers can link you with the responses you have given.

To participate, please click on the link below or the diagram above.

https://outreach.mathstat.strath.ac.uk/outreach/buzz/index.php/679512?newtest=Y&lang=en

Thank you very much for your time
Alison Gray (Survey Organiser)
Department of Mathematics and Statistics
University of Strathclyde, Glasgow

How to - Queen Marking - By David Evans aka the Apiarist

Mon, 23 Jun 2025 06:46:31 GMT

To read the Queen Marking Blog Post click HERE

SASA - Scotland Wide 2024 EFB Survey Report

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 15:47:44 GMT

EFB 2024 SURVEY REPORT

As part of the ongoing review of the current European foulbrood (EFB) control strategy in Scotland, the Bee Health Improvement Partnership (BHIP) agreed that the Honey Bee Health Team should conduct a nationwide survey in 2024 to assess the distribution of EFB across the country. Beekeepers registered on the national BeeBase database were randomly selected and invited to send in samples of adult bees for testing for the pathogen that causes EFB.

The findings from this report will help shape the future of EFB disease control strategy in Scotland. We would like to extend our thanks to everyone who participated in the survey.

You can access the full report here or via the News pages of the SBA website.

Many thanks,

Scottish Government’s Honey Bee Health Team

The Walrus and the Honey Bee - Steve Donohoe - His thoughts on Honey Processing

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 20:54:34 GMT

Having just finished extracting his Spring 2025 crop, He shares what he learned about processing honey.

Honey Processing

click on the link to read his post

The latest Blog Post (23 May) by David Evans - the Apiarist

Fri, 23 May 2025 16:48:31 GMT

Read the Blog Post Here

European Foulbrood Notice - Dumfries Area

Wed, 21 May 2025 20:34:39 GMT

The following is a notice issued by the Scottish Government Bee Health Team for beekeepers across Scotland.

We are contacting you to inform you of an outbreak of European Foulbrood (EFB) in honey bees in the Dumfries area.

This outbreak concerns a number of hives and was first reported to the Scottish Government by the beekeeper, with the disease being confirmed by SASA on the 8th of May 2025.

The beekeeper concerned has been informed of the official confirmation of the disease and are cooperating with the Scottish Government bee health inspectors. Infected colonies have been destroyed. Restrictions are in place in the apiaries, and we are working with the beekeeper to identify the possible source of this outbreak as well as any potential spread of disease.

BeeBase registered beekeepers within 3 km from the infected apiary will also be alerted of this outbreak via BeeBase.

What does this mean?

This is an informative announcement to raise awareness of key points. There are no subsequent restrictions in the area as a result of this finding other than those in place for the infected apiaries.

Next Steps

Please can beekeepers also be reminded of the importance of acquainting themselves with the symptoms of foulbrood diseases and how to conduct a full foulbrood inspection. All beekeepers should carry out at least one foulbrood inspection a year, but we recommend more frequent inspections for those in areas where disease has been confirmed.

If there is any suspicion of American foulbrood (AFB) or European Foulbrood (EFB), there is a legal requirement to notify the Scottish Government Honey Bee Health Team on bees_mailbox@gov.scot

Strict biosecurity is the best prevention to avoid infection, especially for beekeepers who are located within the outbreak area. Swarms of unknown origins should be isolated in a quarantine apiary, put onto fresh foundation and inspected for signs of disease at six weeks before they are brought into contact with other colonies.

Extreme care should be taken with old and second-hand equipment. Such equipment should be thoroughly cleansed and sterilised before re-utilising.

In addition, we would like to emphasise the importance of beekeepers registering and keeping the locations of their apiaries up to date in BeeBase. This will allow the Scottish Government Honey Bee Health Team to assess if there has been a risk of disease spreading to their bees. This is all the more important for those beekeepers who find themselves within the area where the outbreak has been confirmed.

Free registration to BeeBase is available at the National Bee Unit website. Registration on BeeBase also ensures that other beekeepers in an area are automatically alerted to disease outbreaks.

Additional information can be found on the following web pages:

· Foulbrood – how to spot and report the disease

· Honey bee health guidance

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at:

Bees_Mailbox@gov.scot

Thank You

Today is World Bee Day - Bee Inspired

Tue, 20 May 2025 06:51:26 GMT

Spread the Word

Share your knowledge with friends, neighbours, or kids about how we can help bees in your local area. The more people get involved in pollinator protection, the more our impact booms.

Entries Close 19 May for the Scottish Honey Championship Competition at the Royal Highland Show

Mon, 12 May 2025 09:33:22 GMT

The schedule is now available for all the Scottish Honey Championship competition classes at this year’s Royal Highland Show

With everything from novice classes, honey, beeswax, crafts, baking, photography, to junior & schools’ classes there's a competition to suit everyone!
So why not give it a go, who knows you could add 'Award Winning' or 'Scottish Champion' to your products & promotions!
For the entry requirements & to register, please visit

RHS Honey Show - Enter

Closing date for online entries is 19th May

Newbattle Abbey College - Spring Beekeeping Course Rescheduled

Mon, 12 May 2025 09:19:19 GMT

Important Update: Bee-Keeping Course Rescheduled

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the college have rescheduled their bee-keeping course.

The new dates are Wednesday 3rd September to Wednesday 8th October (inclusive).

They sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and greatly appreciate your understanding. Thank you for your continued support, and they look forward to seeing you in September!

Book Your Place Here

Book your place https://shorturl.at/jYL5E

False Economy - the latest, 9 May, Blog Post by the Apiarist (David Evans)

Sat, 10 May 2025 16:49:11 GMT

Read the False Economy Blog Post Here

NAC Spring Beekeeping Course Cancelled

Wed, 07 May 2025 12:16:36 GMT

We have just heard that Newbattle Abbey College have cancelled the Spring Introduction to Beekeeping course that was scheduled to start today, 7 May.

The tutor for the course has had an unfortunate accident and has broken some in one of her hands.

All being well there will be an Autumn course later in the year. We will keep you posted.

Judgement Day - The latest Blog Post by the Apiarist - David Evans

Sun, 04 May 2025 07:23:02 GMT

Click on this link to read the Blog Post

BeeCraft launched a New Look Website in March

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 12:58:30 GMT

Click Here to visit the new Website

You can read a digital edition of the monthly magazine after you log in to the website

At the log in page enter

newbattlebees@gmail.com

P/w: BeeAcademy2025

Newbattle Abbey College - 6 evenings (18.00 - 20.00) Starting 7 May - Introduction to Beekeeping Course

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 15:04:37 GMT

Beekeeping Course Starting Spring 2025!

Date: Every Wednesday from 7 May until 11 June (inclusive)

Time: 6 pm – 8 pm

Location: Newbattle Beekeepers Association, located in the college grounds

Cost: Adults £78, Concession £68 (60+, unemployed, and students)

Join us for an exciting journey into the ancient art of beekeeping!

Participants will be introduced to the fascinating science of honey bee reproduction and honey production.

The Spring course begins just as the bees are gearing up for the summer season. Weather permitting, we'll arrange a visit to the hives to see these incredible insects in action. You'll learn about their habitat, their crucial role in the natural world, and how you can help honeybees thrive as a beekeeper or gardener.

Book your place https://ow.ly/otrx50VECYK

Activate to view larger image,

The Best Queen Cells - The Walrus and the Honey Bee

Sat, 19 Apr 2025 11:01:58 GMT

Read the latest Blog Post from the Walrus and the Honey Bee on "The Best Queen Cells"

Click Here to Read the Post

The Memory of Swarms - The Apiarist

Fri, 18 Apr 2025 11:08:49 GMT

Read the latest Blog Post by David Evans - The Apiarist

Click Here to Read the Blog Post

Biking for Bees - Cycling from Scotland to New Zealand - 10 April, 19.00 - 20.00

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 09:25:23 GMT

Biking for Bees: Cycling from the UK to New Zealand

Jaya attempted to cycle solo from the UK back home to New Zealand. Needless to say she had quite the adventure. Join Jaya live to hear about the highs, lows, how far she got and the people and beekeepers she met along the way.

Date: 10th April

Time: 19:00-20:00

Free/by donation

Book Your Ticket via Eventbrite Here

Abelo to open for business in Scotland on 1st April at Caddon Foot, TD1 3LG

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 14:09:46 GMT

Abelo are thrilled to announce the grand opening of their new shop in Scotland!

They are grateful to Peter of Caddon Hives for allowing them to share his premises at Galashiels. This beautiful location at the foot of the Tweed Valley is already the home of Caddon Hives and thanks to Peter they now have a fully stocked Abelo shop there too. They have been working hard over the last few weeks to bring everything to you. Abelo of Scotland in the heart of the Tweed Valley will be trading from Tuesday 1st April.

The new shop address: Caddon Foot, TD13LG

The Royal Highland Show - Scottish Honey Championships - Online Entries Close 19 May

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 12:01:01 GMT

Do you want to exhibit at the Royal Highland Show this year?

Online entries are now open for the Scottish Honey Championships which are held each year in the "Honey Tent" at the Royal Highland Show.

The entry fee is £4.00 and the Prize money is:

1st - £10.00, 2nd - £6.00, 3rd - £4.00

The judges for the 2025 show are:

Bill Fisher, Sue Carter, Elaine Hargreaves and Bridget Knutson

Online Entries Close on Monday 19 May.

Download and view the schedule - click on the link below

Scottish Honey Championships - 2025 Schedule

2024 Trustees' Annual Report and Accounts 1 January 2024 - 31 December 2024

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 17:17:47 GMT

The NBA Trustees' Annual Report and Accounts is published today, Thursday 27 March, 2025.

It covers the 12 month period 1 January 2024 - 31 December 2024. You will find in the report:

Charity Details
Structure, governance and management
Charitable Purposes
Charitable Activities
Achievements and Performance
Financial Review
Independent Examiner's Report
Receipts and Payments Account
Statement of Balances
Notes to the Accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts 2024

click on the link to read the report

Scottish Honey Survey 2024 Harvest - Closing Date Sunday 13 April

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 09:54:32 GMT

SCOTTISH HONEY SURVEY - 2024 HARVEST

We are looking for your help please, we are trying to provide more information on the honey market to beekeepers in Scotland, and as such, have created a short survey which we're hoping you can complete.

The link to the survey is below, or you can find it on the News pages of the SBA website.

https://forms.office.com/e/20Jt3fkXRy

The Scottish Beekeepers' Association, is carrying out the survey to establish the price and yield from the 2024 Scottish honey harvest for the hobby beekeeping sector. You are encouraged to complete the survey if you are a hobbyist beekeeper and you harvested and/or sold honey collected from hives in Scotland in the 2024 season.

The closing date to complete the survey is Sunday 13th April.

Once complete, the Scottish Beekeepers Association will publish the results of the survey online and share them via email and in the Scottish Beekeeper magazine. They will also be shared with the Scottish Government's Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services Division (RESAS).

Many thanks

SRUC - March Update - Available to download and read here

Sun, 23 Mar 2025 10:57:51 GMT

Click on the link to download and read the document

SRUC March Update2025

The Bee Health Improvement Partnership (BHIP) Annual Report for 2024 is Now Available

Sat, 22 Mar 2025 18:11:43 GMT

BHIP ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2024

The Bee Health Improvement Partnership (BHIP) Annual Report for 2024 has been published online this morning on the Scottish Government Honey Bee Health pages.

The Bee Health Improvement Partnership (BHIP) was established in 2010 as part of Scotland’s first 10-year Honey Bee Health Strategy. It serves as a forum for Scottish Government officials and expert stakeholders, including the SBA, to address the challenges affecting honey bees and the Scottish beekeeping sector.

This Annual Report marks the second year of the BHIP’s activities following the publication of Scotland’s second 10-year Honey Bee Health Strategy in 2022. The report reflects on the progress made over the past year and outlines the BHIP's key priorities for 2025.

You can access the full report here

or on the News pages of the SBA's website.

If you have any questions please email the Scottish Government Honey Bee Health Team at Bees_Mailbox@gov.scot

Scottish Native Honey Bee Society - Annual Meeting - Saturday 29 March 10.00 - 16.00 - Perth Subbed Centre

Sat, 01 Mar 2025 18:32:17 GMT

Queen Rearing

& Instrumental Insemination

Free for Members

Scottish Beekeepers Association - AGM - Saturday 26 April 2025 10.30 at SRUC Barony Campus Dumfries

Sat, 01 Mar 2025 17:58:17 GMT

Scottish Beekeepers Association Members

Use the Link

I want to register

More information in the March edition of The Scottish Beekeeper (page 88 & 89)

Are you following the varroa treatment protocols?

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 19:29:56 GMT

Bee mortality could be reduced by following these instructions

Download the Paper for Free

Published online 3 February 2025

BeeCraft is on Bluesky

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 19:24:48 GMT

Bluesy is a fast growing social media platform and is currently widely regarded.

Follow the BeeCraft posts @beecraftmag.

The Scottish Beekeepers Association Young Beekeepers' Award - Find out More

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 19:18:55 GMT

NEW YOUNG BEEKEEPERS' AWARD

We're buzzing with excitement to announce the launch of the Scottish Young Beekeepers' Award! This brand-new award celebrates Scotland's young beekeepers (under 18 years old) who are making a real difference in their local environment, supporting bees, and inspiring others. Whether they've helped grow a hive, educate their community, or shown outstanding dedication to beekeeping, we want to hear their story!

Do you know a young beekeeper who deserves recognition? Nominations are now open! Download the award criteria and nomination guidance here.

The winner will have the honour of being recognised as one of Scotland's most inspiring young beekeepers. The awards are normally presented at our Annual General Meetings, or in the award recipient's local area.

Let's celebrate the next generation of beekeepers! Spread the word and submit your nominations today!

The closing date for nominations is Sunday 30th March 2025.

PBKA - Monitoring Pollinators - Dr. Miranda Bane - 25 February - 7.30pm

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 12:15:10 GMT

A reminder that the next PBKA talk is on Tuesday 25th February 2025 7.30pm

This talk will be held online (MS Teams). Follow this link to join:-

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_ZGMzYzlkYzktYzZlYi00ODhlLTg0MjQtZTgwZjljNjY0NjUz%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%227b71cd54-f2b2-40ee-8e28-44359fc0999f%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22d2ad18fd-495c-46b9-8db8-d644eee40d0d%22%7d

Full details here:- https://www.peeblesbeekeepers.org.uk/event/online-talk-monitoring-pollinators-with-poms-dr-miranda-bane/

Scottish Beekeepers Association BeeBytes Webinar has changed date to Thursday 6 February at 19.30.

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 10:46:34 GMT

February Webinar

The first webinar in February, on BeeBytes has changed date, it’s now Thursday 6th Feb at 7.30pm (a day later).

Dr. Mark Barnett and Matthew Richardson will be chatting about BeeBytes, a social enterprise specialising in honey bee genetics and DNA analysis to characterise genetic admixture and identify the sources of forage visited by honey bees, bumblebees, and solitary bees.

Scottish Beekeepers Association webinars are free and open to all, so if you would like to book a place please forward the link below

https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8793554691164661596

The Beekeeping Year - Top Tips for February

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 15:36:54 GMT

Click on the link to check out the Top Tips for February

The Beekeeping Year February

Deadline for Registration - Scottish Beekeepers Association Module Exams - Sunday 9 February, 2025

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 20:07:28 GMT

Are you intending to sit any module exams on Saturday 22 March, 2025?

If you are, the deadline for you to register your intention and pay the exam fee (£28) is Sunday 9 February.

Visit the Scottish Beekeepers Association website to register and pay the examination fee

The Beekeeping Show - Telford International Centre - Saturday 22 February 2025

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 19:53:07 GMT

The annual Show is scheduled to take place at the International Centre, Telford on Saturday 22 February, 2025

It is the leading Trade Show with exhibitors and visitors attending from around the world.

Seminars and demonstrations are held throughout the day. Book your tickets in advance to avoid the queues.

To Book Your Tickets - Click Here

Bees For Development News - The First Bulletin of 2025

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 20:13:37 GMT

The first Bee Bulletin of 2025, packed full of ideas and inspiration for everyone working in beekeeping development.

Read the Bulletin Here

Bookings Open at Noon on 27 January for the BBKA 2025 Spring Convention

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 20:06:57 GMT

April 4th - 6th
Harper Adams University, Shropshire

The Ulster Beekeepers Association Conference - 14 & 15 February 2025

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 19:49:54 GMT

The Ulster Beekeepers Association ever popular conference is back this year on the 14th & 15th of February.

“Reading Our Bees - the Next Chapter”, the Ulster Beekeeper's Association annual conference, is taking place in Greenmount Agricultural College on 14-15 February 2025. Building on the very successful 2024 'Be Prepared - Facing the Future' conference, the 2025 event features first class speakers from mainland Europe, Ireland and across the British Isles, They include Professsor Lars Chitka, Master Beekeeper Dan Basterfield, Colm O'Neil, Dr Rowena Jenkins, Ruth Wilson, Associate Professor Dalial Freitak, Brittany Bee farmer Richard Noel and Professor Robert Paxton

With more than 400 beekeepers expected from Northern lreland, Ireland, Scotland and beyond - this is definitely a must for your diary!

Tickets are on sale now:

Book Your Tickets Here

Bumblebees Spotted Starting Nests in Winter in Scotland

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 19:26:38 GMT

Bumblebees Winter nest building "due to climate"

Read the Article on the BBC News Website

A Kind invitation from North Ayrshire Beekeepers Association for 15th January

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 20:16:39 GMT

NABA are pleased to extend an invitation to our members to join them online on Wednesday 15th January at 7.30 pm to hear Karl Coyler speak on the subject of

"Things I wish I'd known earlier".

The NABA Zoom meeting link follows Karl's biography.

Karl is the Deputy Chair of the Bee Improvement & Bee Breeders Association (BIBA) where he oversees publications. Karl has been keeping bees since 2003 and has a growing number of hives in Cheshire where he mentors new beekeepers. He enjoys constructing hives from recycled wood and is a very practical bee breeder; bringing his engineering, quality and production experience to the fore. He has also instigated the not-for-profit social enterprise (www.beesinourcommunity.org.uk) which places hand-made hives containing home-bred bees onto company properties, farmland and individual’s back gardens, with the aim of generating curiosity and community awareness of bees.

-----------

Topic: NABA monthly meeting
Time: Jan 15, 2025 07:30 PM London

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82075173622?pwd=pe9XCBuXV0UsEZWvI7eNwfREyARvF9.1

Meeting ID: 820 7517 3622
Passcode: 863058

Scottish Beekeepers Association - January Webinar

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 10:15:40 GMT

January 2025 Webinar

Here's a date for your new diaries! On Wednesday the 15th ofJanuary at 7.30pm the Scottish Beekeepers Association are delighted to welcome James Fearnley who will discuss 'Propolis, the Bee Arc Project, and the International Propolis Research Group (IPRG)'.

The webinar is free and open to all. If you would like to join us please use the link below

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7767277134868289627

James is the CEO of BeeVital and Nature’s Laboratory, and he made his first connection with honeybees and one of their most remarkable products – propolis in 1990 and has been actively involved with it ever since! He has written and published “Bee Propolis – Natural Healing from the Hive” and is also the founder of the International Propolis Research Group (IPRG). An organisation dedicated to guiding research and collaboration into propolis, creating a database of research and organising international conferences on the subject of propolis. You will also find out more about the Bee Arc Project, which grew out of James’s idea to build a research centre which could explore both the medicinal properties of bee products as well as more sustainable forms of beekeeping.

Tasks for January

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 11:30:03 GMT

Monitor the debris on the Varroa Board insert. Use a magnifying glass if need be. Count the mites every five days Check out NBU guidance on managing varroa here
Heft your hives. Get to know the expected weigh. It should be heavy in January. Make sure there is fondant on top of the colony. The bees will take it if they are hungry.
Make sure your hives are secure.
Make sure you have mouse guards in place

The Latest Blog Post from the Walrus & the Honey Bee (16/12/24)

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 10:00:26 GMT

Rapeseed Oil and Offshoring

A Hard Rain's a - Gonna Fall - by David Evans (the Apiarist)

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 14:01:27 GMT

In this post dated 8 November David discusses the Consequences of Climate Change

Read the Blog Post Here

Thorne Sale Ends 11 November - Shop Online - Click on the Link

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 13:38:19 GMT

SHOP NOW

BeeBase - Update your records - Total Number of Overwintering Hives - 01 November 2024

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 19:55:03 GMT

It is again time to update your BeeBase records with the total number of overwintering hives as of 1st November 2024.

To complete this year’s hive count please click the link below which will take you to BeeBase. Once logged in, please answer the hive count questions displayed and then click the ‘Submit response’ button. It is as simple as that! Please update your records by 31st December 2024.

If you currently have no colonies, please update your BeeBase record to confirm this in question 1.

Please click this link to update your Hive Count.

https://www.nationalbeeunit.com/hive-count/

Please note: your username to login is not your email address

More details of this project, its importance and why we need your help can be found on BeeBase:
https://www.nationalbeeunit.com/bees-and-the-law/hive-count/

2023’s count indicated a total UK population of honey bee hives at approximately 252,500.

If you have any security concerns about clicking on the embedded links in this email, you can access BeeBase directly from your Internet browser to complete the hive count. Simply log in to BeeBase and select ‘Hive Count’ from the list of options displayed.

We have produced additional guidance on how to update your records within BeeBase, these are included in the ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ document on the Hive Count information page of BeeBase.

For more information on the National Hive Count you can email bees_mailbox@gov.scot

Thank you very much in advance for your assistance.

Meet the Insects (Bees) Helping to Fight Climate Change

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 19:58:23 GMT

Bees are known for their honey-making skills and for packing a bit of a sting - ouch!

However, scientists in Oxfordshire have discovered how bees can help us understand more about climate change.

No, they won't be donning little lab coats and test tubes.

The proof is all in the honey.

Published

Watch the BBC Newsround Video

Smith Hive Parts (used) available to purchase from the online shop

Sun, 20 Oct 2024 15:35:28 GMT

Smith Hive Parts (used) are available to buy from the Online Shop. Click on the link below to get yours.

Order Your Smith Hive Parts Here

Varroa Learning Package from SRUC & the Bee Health Improvement Partnership

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 09:05:03 GMT

VARROA LEARNING PACKAGE

SRUC and the Scottish Government’s Bee Health Improvement Partnership have recently produced a learning package on Varroa.

The Scottish Varroa Learning Booklet is now available to download and print. It aims to give beekeepers a better understanding of the particular issues beekeepers face in Scotland when tackling Varroa.

Varroa is a key threat to Scottish honey bees and became a reportable pest in Scotland in April 2021 through the Bee Diseases and Pest Control (Scotland) Amendment Order 2021.

You can download a copy of the booklet here

DOWNLOAD BOOKLET

or from the National Bee Unit (NBU) BeeBase. Go to the Beekeeping in Scotland section of BeeBase and go to the bottom of the page called latest updates.

If you need more information please email

Lorraine.Johnston@sruc.ac.uk

Undertakers, hygienic bees and the scent of death - the latest from The Apiarist (aka David Evans)

Sat, 12 Oct 2024 09:16:17 GMT

Posted on 11 Oct. - 15min read

Click on the link below to read the post

undertakers-hygienic-bees-and-the-scent-of-death

Scottish Beekeepers Association - 13 November Webinar - Honey Sensory Analysis

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 11:53:50 GMT

November Webinar

At 19.30 on Wednesday the 13th of November join the webinar to take you on a sensory journey of honey. We're delighted to welcome Dr Gian-Luigi Marcazzan and he shall be discussing 'Honey Sensory Analysis and The Italian National Register of Experts in the Sensory Analysis of Honey'.

If you would like to join the webinar please book your free place by clicking on the link below

BOOK YOUR PLACE

Gian Luigi Marcazzan is the president of the Italian National Register of Experts in the Sensory Analysis of Honey and also a scientist at the Bee Research Group at CREA the Italian government's agricultural laboratory, for more info please visit

https://www.crea.gov.it/en/web/agricoltura-e-ambiente/-/national-register-of-experts-in-the-sensory-analysis-of-honey

Scottish Beekeepers Association Webinar - Wednesday 2 October at 19.30

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 10:04:26 GMT

Wednesday's Webinar

The first webinar of this season is On Wednesday, 2nd Oct at 7.30pm, hear from Justin Ruger on how to make beekeeping accessible for all.

Justin will also be sharing more details on the work his not-for-profit organisation Accessible Beekeepingundertakes.

SBA webinars are free and open to everyone, they just ask that you register in advance. To book your free place please click on the link below

BOOK YOUR PLACE

National Bee Unit - Update to Best Practice Guideline No.3 - Apiary & Hive Hygiene

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 14:47:25 GMT

The National Bee Unit - NBU - update one of their best practice guidelines in August 2024. You can read the updated guidelines by clicking on the link below.

Click Here to read the updated guideline

Scottish Government Announce that they will refer to the Asian Hornet as the Yellow-legged Hornet

Tue, 10 Sep 2024 08:47:12 GMT

The Scottish Government has recently announced that they will now refer to the Asian hornet, Vespa velutina nigrithorax, as the `yellow-legged hornet, also known as Asian hornet’, and have produced a newsletter to raise awareness and encourage extra vigilance for yellow-legged hornets over the coming months. To download this newsletter please click below

Newsletter

Fife Beekeeper Inspired by Grandfather's Long Lost Hives

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 16:42:44 GMT

When Ross Main tracked down the abandoned beehives his grandfather had kept in a disused quarry, he was surprised to find that the bees were still there.

Read the full story on the BBC website - click here

More About Bees on the BBC Website - click here

Module Examinations - Online & Written - 16 November, 2024

Sun, 01 Sep 2024 20:26:47 GMT

Closing date for applications - 30 September, 2024

Examination Fee £28 per module

You must be a member of Scottish Beekeepers Association

For an application form click:

Here

Scottish Beekeepers Association - Free Winter Webinar - Wednesday 2 October , 19.30

Sun, 01 Sep 2024 20:05:43 GMT

Accessible Beekeeping

with Justin Ruger

Founder of not-for-profit Accessible Beekeeping

Click Here to visit the website

Book Your Place

Click Here

The Scottish National Honey Show - Saturday 28 September - Loch Leven Community Campus, Kinross

Sun, 01 Sep 2024 19:43:51 GMT

The annual honey show takes place on Saturday 28 September at the Loch Leven Community Campus, Kinross.

Entry is FREE

Closing date for entries Sunday 22 September.

Download the schedule and rules

Here

Download the Entry Form

Here

The National Honey Monitoring Scheme - New Website

Thu, 29 Aug 2024 18:58:36 GMT

The National Honey Monitoring Scheme has a new improved website.

Click Here to visit the site

Video about the native black bee in Cornwall

Thu, 29 Aug 2024 18:50:16 GMT

The development of the Mount Edgcumbe native bee reserve featuring Jo Widdicombe and Kathy Lovegrove.

Click Here to watch the video

"Blood Sucking" Parasites By David (The Apiarist) 16 Aug 2024

Fri, 23 Aug 2024 18:11:21 GMT

Read this post - Click Here

Thorne Sale Days - Friday 16 and Saturday 17 August

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 10:23:08 GMT

Check out the Sale Items on their Website

Here

Last day to order Wednesday 14 August

Four Six Frame Nucs For Sale

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 08:03:11 GMT

Colin MacKenzie has four six frame nucs for immediate sale

Full details and how to make contact with Colin can be found on the "For Sale & Wanted" page of the website.

Here

What does the Apiarist (aka known as David Evans) think about Simple Stock Improvement

Sat, 20 Jul 2024 11:32:58 GMT

Follow the link to find out.

Simple Stock Improvement

European Beekeeping Association - Launch of Website

Sat, 29 Jun 2024 16:07:32 GMT

The recently formed European Beekeeping Association has launched its website:

Visit the site - Click Here

Bee Photo Competition

Sat, 29 Jun 2024 15:53:54 GMT

Veto-pharma's 6th amateur photo competition is open to midnight (CET) on 31 August. There are categories for adults and juniors (under 16).

There are two themes - Beekeeping landscapes and Honey bees on a pollination mission. You can enter up to two photographs.

Veto-pharma Amateur Photo Contest 2024

Maisemore Apiaries - Three Day Sale - 28 - 30 June 2024

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 14:59:54 GMT

Have a three day SALE starting on 28 June

Click Here to Visit the Maisemore Website

Insect photo competition won by image of resting cuckoo bees

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 17:45:17 GMT

See the Photographs Here

My favourite is by Pete Burford - "Look into my Eyes" (scroll through the photographs to view)

Thoughts on Formic Pro - What does the Walrus think?

Sun, 23 Jun 2024 18:29:21 GMT

Read His Blog Post Here

The Latest Post (21 June) from the Apiarist - The Year Without a Summer

Sat, 22 Jun 2024 15:10:05 GMT

Comments from David on queens, clearing supers and parliamentary candidates with long names!

Celebration Lunch at the Bee Academy on Saturday 15 June

Sun, 16 Jun 2024 17:20:13 GMT

Lunch is Served

To mark the Basic Beekeeper examination on Saturday 15 June lunch was available to all candidates, mentors, Scottish Beekeepers Association examiners and Newbattle Beekeepers Association members. It provided a welcome break between the morning and afternoon examination slots.

Rowse Honey Bee Hive Opens at Blenheim Palace

Sun, 16 Jun 2024 17:12:26 GMT

The new experience will teach families about the importance of pollinators.

Find Out More From the BBC News Website

Bees: Pollination, Habitats and Conservation - The Royal Horticultural Society

Sun, 09 Jun 2024 12:06:26 GMT

Visit the Royal Horticultural Society Website to see a series of Powerpoint Presentations that can be downloaded and edited.

There a 12 presentations to download, one for each month of the year.

Your Link to the RHS Website

Scotland's Asian Hornet Plan

Thu, 06 Jun 2024 10:25:27 GMT

The Scottish Government has published its Bee Health Improvement Report, as part of the Bee Health Improvement Partnership (BHIP). It includes a contingency plan for the threat from the Asian Hornet, which states that an Asian Hornet team will be established to be prepared for future sightings in Scotland

While there has been no confirmed Asian hornet sighting in Scotland, last year saw a significant increase in England, including as far north as Yorkshire.

Scottish Government Bee-Health-Report

Happy World Bee Day!

Mon, 20 May 2024 10:17:21 GMT

Today is World Bee Day - our favourite day of the year here at NBA! We love that bees are being celebrated all around the world today. Let us know what you are doing to celebrate.

What Does the Apiarist (aka David Evans) Have to Say about Beekeeping Records?

Sun, 12 May 2024 19:52:38 GMT

Find Out Here

His first thoughts - "Unless you have just one hive (and even then, you should), or a prodigious memory, you will need to keep records of your hive inspections. What are the options? Cryptic, analogue, digital, app, in hive or at home?"

Save the Date - Scottish Beekeepers Association Annual Convention 2024

Fri, 03 May 2024 11:51:48 GMT

The Scottish Beekeepers Association 2024 Annual Convention is scheduled for Friday 27 September & Saturday 28 September at the Loch Leven Community Campus, Kinross.

The overseas guest speakers are Dr. Jeff Pettis from the USA. (President of Apimondia) and Dr. Lynne Hepplestone from South Africa.

The Convention incorporates the Scottish National Honey Show. There will also be a wide selection of Trade Stands.

More Details: The 2024 Annual Convention

The May 2024 Edition of BeeCraft Magazine is now Out with an article by Ann Chilcott

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 13:01:28 GMT

The May 2024 edition will be available in the Bee Academy Library from the date of the May Monthly meeting. (We also have an online subscription )

Our very own Ann Chilcott as written an article "How honey bees heat themselves" (read it on page 15 of the May edition.

More from Ann on her website at: www.beelistner.co.uk

World Bee Day - One Month Away on 20 May - Get Involved & Spread the Word

Sat, 20 Apr 2024 11:41:11 GMT

The theme this year is "Bee engaged with youth"

It highlights the importance of involving young people in beekeeping

Find out More - Click Here

American Foul Brood Notice - Confirmed outbreak in the Stanley area of Perthshire

Sat, 06 Apr 2024 14:29:21 GMT

The following is a notice issued by the Scottish Government Bee Health Team for beekeepers across Scotland.

We are contacting you to inform you of an outbreak of American Foulbrood (AFB) in the Stanley area of Perthshire. This is the first finding of AFB in Scotland this year.

This outbreak concerns a single hive and was first reported to the Scottish Government by the beekeeper, with the disease being confirmed by SASA on the 5th of April 2024.

In this instance, the beekeeper suspected disease after the colony died during the winter months, which highlights the importance of investigating die outs. The hive and all infected equipment will be destroyed by fire following confirmation of the disease.

The beekeeper concerned has been informed of the official confirmation of the disease. They are fully cooperating with the Scottish Government bee health inspectors. All other remaining colonies in the apiary will be inspected by the Scottish Government Bee inspectors as soon as possible. Restrictions are in place in the apiary. We are working with the beekeeper to identify the possible origin of this outbreak as well as any possible spread of disease.

Beekeepers within 3 km from the infected apiary will also be alerted of this outbreak via BeeBase.

What does this mean?

This is an informative announcement to raise awareness of key points. There are no subsequent restrictions in the area as a result of this finding other than those in place for the infected apiary.

Next Steps

Please can beekeepers also be reminded of the need to acquaint themselves with the symptoms of foulbrood diseases and how to carry out a full foulbrood inspection. All beekeepers should carry out at least one foulbrood inspection a year, but we recommend more frequent inspections for those in areas where disease has been confirmed.

If there is any suspicion of AFB, or European Foulbrood (EFB), there is a legal requirement to notify the Scottish Government Honey Bee Health Team on bees_mailbox@gov.scot

Strict bio-security is the best prevention to avoid infection, especially for beekeepers who are located within the outbreak area. Swarms of unknown origins should be isolated in a quarantine apiary and inspected for signs of disease before they are brought into contact with other colonies.

Winter die outs should be examined and causes of death attempted to be established.

Extreme care should be taken with old and second-hand equipment. Such equipment should be thoroughly cleansed and sterilised before re-utilising.

In addition, we would like to emphasise the importance of registering and keeping the locations of apiaries up to date in BeeBase. This will allow the Scottish Government Bee Health Team to assess if there has been a risk of disease spreading to their bees. This is all the more important for those beekeepers who find themselves within the area where the outbreak has been confirmed.

Free registration to BeeBase is available at the National Bee Unit website. Registration on BeeBase also ensures that other beekeepers in an area are automatically alerted to disease outbreaks.

Additional information can be found on the following web pages:

· Foulbrood – how to spot and report the disease

· Honey bee health guidance

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at:

Bees_Mailbox@gov.scot

Thank You

Thorne Lightweight Plastic Extractor now only £40

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 13:24:12 GMT

Find out more from the 'For Sale & Wanted' page of the website.

Here

Closing Date for Submission of Resolutions to be considered under AOB at the AGM is 30 March

Fri, 29 Mar 2024 12:11:09 GMT

The deadline for the submission of any resolution or other matters to be considered under the agenda item AOB at the AGM on 7 April is 30 March.

Send details of what you want included to newbattlebees@gmail.com

Closing Date for Return of Newbattle Beekeepers Association Trustee Nominations - 27 March 2024

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 20:32:53 GMT

Nominations for the nine elected trustees for 2024/25 should be returned to the secretary no later than 27 March.

Return trustee nomination forms here

Download nomination forms via the AGM page of the website

Here

The Scottish Beekeepers Association AGM - Saturday 27 April - The Spectrum Centre, Inverness

Sun, 17 Mar 2024 16:01:42 GMT

2024 Annual General Meeting

The AGM this year is in person, on Saturday 27th of April, from 10.30am, at The Spectrum Centre in Inverness (which has great links to public transport). They decided to move the AGM around the country to ensure that they can meet as many members as possible.

The current agenda can be found here, and there are some guest speakers in the afternoon, which is open to non SBA members.

To register your attendance please click here, and remember to have your SBA membership number handy. Registration closes on the 13th of April.

There's still time to propose resolutions and provide nominations for Trustees (until the 6th of April) so please email these to the General Secretary secretary@scottishbeekeepers.org.uk including a proposer and seconder.

Details of all resolutions and nominations received, as well as the Proxy voting form, will be posted in the Member's area of the Scottish Beekeepers Association website and emailed out shortly after the 6th of April closing date.

They are looking forward to seeing you on the 27th April

Scottish Beekeepers Association April Webinar - Food Safety - 3 April @ 19.30

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 14:56:43 GMT

April Webinar

For our final webinar of this winter series, we’re delighted to host a Food Safety panel session on Wednesday the 3rd of April from 7.30pm with Andy Pedley.

Andy was an Environmental Health Officer for 46 years and has been
a beekeeper for over 30 years. In this informative panel, Andy will be discussing the importance of knowledge of Food Safety processes for beekeepers and providing advice on practical actions.

We welcome questions, so if you would like to pose a question to Andy, please email this before the 3rd of April to Gino Jabbar at
webinars@scottishbeekeepers.org.uk

If you would like to join us please book your free place by clicking on the link below

BOOK YOUR PLACE

Bumblebees surprise scientists with 'sophisticated' social learning

Sun, 10 Mar 2024 20:34:46 GMT

Bumblebees can work together and pass on knowledge to overcome complex puzzles, researchers find.

Read the full story on the BBC news: bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment

Lightweight Plastic Extractor - Price Now £80 - Details on the For Sale & Wanted Page

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 20:29:08 GMT

Take a look at the extractor Neil R is selling Here

He has reduced the price to £80.

BeeCraft Magazine - March Edition now available to view online

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 13:09:49 GMT

View this email in your browser

SHOP | ARTICLES | VIDEOS

Inside this month's magazine:

Preparing your bees for Asian hornets - Help your bees to face a new predator
Travels with Tourneret - Eric Tourneret's photographs of The honey tribe, Ethiopia
How many honey bees are there worldwide? - Evidence for a global increase
The bee, the coin and the token - Why bees appear so often on money
Low cost microscopy - studying bees up close on a budget
Secrets revealed by the honey monitoring scheme - what's in our honey?
Recipe of the month: Honey and lemon curd
Cyclopedia: C is for chorion

As well as regular features including:

Honey on the high street - our monthly appraisal of a commercially available honey
Ask the Mentors - with Clare Densley and Martin Hann of Buckfast Abbey
Gardening for pollinators - our regular look at gardening for bees and other wildlife
Beginners in the apiary - master beekeeper Geoff Blay writes about what to do in February
News, book reviews, beekeeper interviews and much more ...

Low cost microscopy

Studying your bees up close traditionally meant investing in expensive, sophisticated microscopes.

Dr Barry Meatyard shows how low-cost equipment can be added to your computer for great results. In the image above, a bee's leg is shown in detail.

March's cover shows a selection of coins and tokens from around the world, all of which feature honey bees. In their feature article, Adrian G Dyer and Stuart J McFarlane look at a selection in detail, asking why honey bees have for so long been used as a symbol of wealth, industry and trustworthiness.

Are your bees Fit2Fight?

Alan Baxter has first-hand experience of Asian hornet predation in the Loire region of France and explains how to prepare your bees for what might happen this season.

Subscribe to BeeCraft

What's in your honey?

Every year beekeepers across the UK send honey samples to be analysed by the National Honey Monitoring Scheme. This month we have the latest results, revealing what types of pollen are most often found in honey from different parts of the UK. Our report also reveals a more sinister side to the discoveries; forage collected by bees is telling us about pesticide pollution.

Buzz quiz
**One of the questions from BeeCraft's monthly readers' quiz.**

Q. What are these pellets, sometimes found on the floor or landing board of a hive in spring?

Find the answer below.

If you would like to receive at least 20% off the normal price, it's easy to do so through your beekeeping association. Simply ask your club to sign up to our group subscription scheme - it's free and easy. You will then be able to use your club's code to receive a discount when you buy your subscription via the BeeCraft website.

For more details email: subscriptions@bee-craft.com

Subscibe to BeeCraft magazine

Buzz quiz - answer

A = Discarded pollen pellets. Often mistaken for chalkbrood mummies, they are sometimes thrown out after winter when fresh pollen becomes available.

Copyright © 2024 Bee Craft Ltd, All rights reserved.
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Bigger Queens, Better Queens - Part 1 What does the Apiarist have to say?

Sat, 17 Feb 2024 18:47:08 GMT

Read on blog or Reader

The Apiarist

Bigger queens, better queens – part 1

David

February 16

Synopsis: Recent research on the maternal effect in honey bees suggests queen rearing using worker larvae may produce undersized and underperforming queens. Introduction The majority of books and articles I’ve read on queen rearing emphasise that bigger queens are better queens. The rationale is simple. Bigger queens are better because their larger abdomens contain more […]
Read his thoughts here

Have you visited the For Sale & Wanted Page on the Website?

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 12:55:50 GMT

Did you know about the For Sale & Wanted Page on the website?

Click Here to take you there

Queen Rearing - Some thoughts from the Walrus - 13 February 24

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 11:45:00 GMT

Crowning Glory: Elevating Your Apiary with High-Quality Queen Bees

Walrus

13th February

I have written a fair few articles about raising queens, and, as time passes, my experience grows (or maybe my memory fades?). The only beekeeping I have been doing is feeding fondant to most of my nuclei, and a couple of hives that were a little light. So, here’s another queen rearing article that tries […]

Read more of this post

Scottish Beekeepers Association - March Webinar 6 March 19:30 - Find out more and book your place

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 16:18:56 GMT

March Webinar

At 19:30 on Wednesday the 6thof March you can let the Scottish Beekeepers Association take you on a journey to South Africa to find out more about the bees and honey there. Your hosts will be Natasha Lyon and Mike Allsopp.

Natasha Lyon is a South African honey expert, and Mike Allsopp is a bee scientist at the Agricultural Research Council and an expert in Apis M. Capensis.
They will discuss the bees of South Africa, including Apis M. Capensisand Apis M. Scutellata, the diverse flora of South Africa, their beekeeping year, and the honey varieties enjoyed.

If you would like to go on this journey please book your free place by clicking on the link below

BOOK YOUR PLACE

The SBA 2024 AGM - Saturday 27 April 2024, Inverness - Call for Resolutions

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 16:16:09 GMT

The Scottish Beekeepers Association AGM is set to be held at the Spectrum Centre, Farraline Park, Inverness, IV1 1LS on Saturday 27 April starting at 10.45 to 14.45. An afternoon of talks will follow the AGM and conclude at 16.00.

If you wish to propose a resolution for voting at the AGM the deadline is 1st April . Send your resolution(s) to the General Secretary along with the names of the proposer and seconder.

Click Here to send an email

Newbattle College Open Day - Tuesday 25 March - 15:30 - 18:30

Sun, 04 Feb 2024 19:23:52 GMT

NewbattleTweets

⁦‪@NewbattleTweets‬⁩

Save the date for the college open day!

Tuesday 25 March, 3.30pm - 6.30pm
‍ ‍ Meet college tutors
Apply on the day
️Student led tours of the college
☕Refreshments

Register your interest
Here

#ChooseCollege #BigCollegeOpenWeek pic.twitter.com/8zsZpjsQqu

02/02/2024, 17:00

Beekeeping Backups - The latest Blog from the Apiarist

Sat, 03 Feb 2024 15:07:59 GMT

Read on blog or Reader

The Apiarist

Beekeeping backups

David

February 2

Synopsis: Should beginners get one or two colonies? The standard advice is 'get two', but I think three colonies by the end of year two gives better security, more opportunities to experiment, and a faster route to gaining valuable experience. I have previously commented that the beekeeping year can seem like a series of catastrophes, […]

Read more of this post

Register for the Scottish Beekeepers Association Microscopy Exam - Deadline 10 February

Fri, 02 Feb 2024 16:55:52 GMT

Microscopy Exam

Our Microscopy exam, module 9, is open for registration now. This exam will be held on Saturday 9th of March 2024 in Strathbrock Community Centre, Broxburn, EH52 5LH. To register please click here. Deadline for registration is Saturday the 10th of February.

This examination lasts 3 hours and the candidate will need to provide suitable
microscopes and equipment necessary to complete the examination.

The candidate’s knowledge and skill will be put to the test through a series of practical tasks along with an oral examination. Please study the Microscopy Syllabus (Issue April 2022) available here.

A pass in the Microscopy Certificate gives the candidate exemption from the Adult Bee Diseases section of the Scottish Apiarian Examination.

Applicants must be members of the SBA and have passed their Basic Beekeeping or Junior Beekeeper exams. It is also advisable that you should have attended an SBA two-day microscopy workshop. We encourage as many as possible of those who attended the Microscopy workshop last year to apply for the exam. The exam fee is £55.

Imported Queens - What does the Walrus have to say?

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 20:03:07 GMT

The latest post from the Walrus, aka Steve Donohoe

The walrus and the honey bee - imported-queens

Listen to Gino on BBC Radio Scotland Outdoors

Thu, 25 Jan 2024 10:56:48 GMT

Rachel Stewart meets Gino and they discuss Honey Tasting in Edinburgh.

Gino explains to Rachel that he believes Honey is a "taste of the landscape"

Well worth a listen

Click Here to Listen to Gino

Book Your Place - SBA February Webinar Dr Nicholas Naeger - Bees, Fungi & Pathogens

Thu, 18 Jan 2024 11:26:47 GMT

February Webinar

It’s all about fungi! At 7.30pm on Wednesday the 7^th February. The SBA welcome Dr Nicholas Naeger.

In this illuminating talk, Dr Naegerwill discuss the interaction between bees, fungi, and their pathogens. He will then discuss his research at Washington State University into bee immune health, the potential nutritional benefits of fungi, and possible therapeutic uses of fungi against bee pathogens.

If you would like to find out more about this fascinating subject and book your free place, please click on the link below

Click Here to BOOK YOUR PLACE

Free-Living Bees & Big Old Trees - What does David Evans, have to say about this?

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 19:37:32 GMT

Free-living bees and big old trees

David

Jan 12

Synopsis: Why are the copses, coppices and thickets of the UK (or for that matter Europe or much of North America) not filled with large numbers of free-living honey bee nests?

Deja vu? …

Don’t worry, you’re not losing your mind. That was exactly the same sentence that David started his post with

Read his post here

The Magic of Drone Congregation Areas - The latest Blog Post by Emily Scott - Adventures in Beeland Blog

Mon, 08 Jan 2024 12:36:31 GMT

Adventuresinbeeland's Blog

The Magic of drone congregation areas

Emily Scott

Jan 6

Notes from a talk by Dr Stephen Fleming - co-editor of Beecraft magazine and beekeeper to Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Back in October Stephen spoke to a group of us gathered for the Cornwall Beekeepers’ Association and West Cornwall Beekeepers’ Association annual conference. I meant to write about it sooner but then life got in the way!

It was a lovely talk, all about drone congregation areas (DCAs) - places high up in the sky where male bees (drones) gather to find queens. You can read Stephen’s perfectly named article ‘The Scilly game of drones’ on the Beecraft website, where he talks about whether drones will cross the choppy Cornish seas in search of a queen.

Stephen told us that the first person to document DCAs was the famous naturalist Gilbert White, in his diary ‘A Natural History of Selborne - Observations’ - 28 June 1792. He picked the sound up a year before his death, even when his hearing was bad. White could hear a loud audible humming of bees as he walked, without being able to see them.

The sound is still there today. A recording made by Stephen on the same down that White walked was played on Paddy O’Connell’s show, BBC Radio 4 (25th June 2017) - on the 225 year anniversary of Gilbert White hearing it. If you have a listen from 41 minutes in you will hear the incredibly clear sound of the drones.

A handsome drone

It is believed RI Crowley in 1892 was the first person to realise that the phenomenon was a DCA.

The talk included a number of gorgeous clips of the drones flying in congregation. One was from ‘More than Honey’ (2012) by Markus Imhoof, which looks like a lovely film. Stephen then went on to answer a series of questions he posed:

How do they know where to go?

How the drones choose a DCA is still a big mystery. There are a number of theories:

Magnetism?

Polarised light?

Light intensity?

Thermals - air rising up a slope?

Pheromone trails?

Don’t forget, drones only live a few months on average, so older drones are not showing younger drones where to meet. There must be some instinctive behaviour that lures them to these locations in search of virgin queens. Stephen feels thermals are at least one of the factors involved.

How many drones in a DCA?

Stephen mentioned that a formulae you can use to estimate the number of drones in a DCA will be in a Beecraft magazine issue soon. A couple of estimates he has made ranged between 1,782-2,045 in one area and 2,051-2,554 in another.

He went on to tell us how to go hunting for DCAs ourselves…

What you need

Synthetic 9-ODA, painted onto a queen cage (he said that unfortunately this is not easy to get, however you only need a tiny amount!)
Or a spare caged queen

Extendable carbon fishing rod, 3-4 metres long

UAV drone (radio controlled drone)

Preparation

OS map

Google Earth

Knowledge of local apiaries

Look for grasslands rather than woods, as it is easier to see the DCAs without tree canopies

When to go

Stephen has found 3-5pm is the peak in the DCAs he visits in southern England, with the drones arriving first before the queens. However, other beekeepers he knows in Northumberland have said their peak time is earlier - around lunchtime. He feels it’s possible people researching DCAs may tend to generalise too much based on their own experiences, whereas there may be a lot of regional variations based on local geography.

In his experiences, the ideal summer’s day for DCA finding is 19C+ temperature, with a breeze. He will go out looking for them between 2-5.30pm. There are only a few of these ideal days each year. On days without a breeze he does not find DCAs; his theory is that drones prefer to fly into a breeze as it gives them better control over their flight.

Have you ever come across a DCA? It must be a wonderful sound to hear on a beautiful summer’s day.

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Scottish Beekeepers Association Module Exams - Closing Date for Registration for the March Sitting is 10 February

Sat, 06 Jan 2024 14:27:47 GMT

EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Are you looking to expand your honeybee and beekeeping knowledge? Then why not consider studying for one of the Scottish Beekeepers Association modules? The module exams will be available to sit this year on Saturday 23rd of March (in both online or written exam centre format), and you can book your place now by clicking here. This will take you to the new format 'jotform' where you can select your module and enter your details and payment. The closing date for registering to sit an exam is the 10th of February.

For information on all the modules and details of their syllabuses please click here.

There is a new module for 2024, Plants and Pollinators.

This new module is designed to enhance a beekeeper's knowledge of the interactions between plants and pollinating insects and covers a wide range of topics including; how a plant grows and develops, the pollination strategies employed by plants and the pollination activities including transportation of pollen and typical plants visited by solitary bees, bumblebees, and honey bees.

More information on the full list of topics covered and the learning outcomes for this new module can be found by downloading the syllabus here.

The Microscopy exam will also be held this year, on Saturday 9th of March, so if you have participated in Microscopy workshops and would like to sit this exam, please click here to register before the 10th of February.

Just think of what you'll gain by embarking on this journey!

The Future is Almost Here - A Happy New Beekeeping Year from the Apiarist

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 18:04:40 GMT

Brace yourself, 2024 is almost here. Time to start preparing for the ‘unknown knowns’ and perhaps making plans to try something new. Happy New Year from David!

Read the Apiarist Blog Post Here

Scottish Beekeepers Association January Webinar - 10 January, 19:30

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 14:08:10 GMT

January Webinar

The Scottish Beekeepers Association January Webinar is scheduled for Wednesday 10th of January starting at 19.30, when US Air Force Security Forces Veteran and Iowa Bee Farmer - Master Sgt Katie Flinn will discuss overcoming Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and mental health problems through beekeeping. She will also introduce the charity ‘PTSD and Pollinators’ that she supports to help veterans overcome PTSD.

If you would like to find out more about this fascinating subject and book your free place, please click on the link below

BOOK YOUR PLACE

A Review of the 2024 Season by David Evans - The Apiarist

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 11:55:46 GMT

Read the 2024 Review Here

Synopsis: The annual review of the year on The Apiarist. What, when, where? What’s popular and what’s not … and what does this tell us about the state of beekeeping?

Are Bees Attracted by Flower Richness?

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 20:35:37 GMT

Read an article in the October 2023 edition of Ecological Indicators

Click Here to read the article

A New Post by David Evans - The Apiarist, When Things Go Wrong

Sat, 16 Dec 2023 17:44:41 GMT

It can be irritating when things go wrong, or your best efforts are thwarted. David has been keeping bees for long enough and he has a long list of pet peeves.

https://Here are a few

Check out the latest addition to the For Sale & Wanted Page

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 18:17:20 GMT

Neil Rutherford has two National Brood Boxes and a manual extractor for sale

Take a Look Here

Bee Coin - £1 - features bees symbolising the 250+ species in Britain

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 10:59:53 GMT

The Royal Mint will strike eight new coins inspired by the flora and fauna of Britain. One of the first to come into circulation will be a £1 coin which features bees. The two bees on the coin symbolise the 250+ species of bees in Britain.

The 2023 Hive Count - Update Your BeeBase Records Before 31 December

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 20:52:41 GMT

The National Bee Unit is asking all beekeepers to please login to BeeBase and make a note of the total number of colonies they will be taking into the winter as of 1st November 2023. This task is quick and simple, just click here, login and fill in the short form. Even if you have no overwintering colonies this season it is still important to update your BeeBase record to reflect that. This survey will run until 31st December 2023.

Read All About Hyperactive Drones - A post by David Evans, the Apairist

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 12:09:44 GMT

Synopsis: Drones occupy age-related locations in the nest and exhibit coordinated periodic hyperactivity. How was this determined and do these insights help our beekeeping?

Honey & Craft Show Entries Close Midnight Thursday 23 November

Fri, 17 Nov 2023 10:57:16 GMT

View the Schedule

Here

Get Your Entry Form

Here

Steve Donohoe Appointed Editor of the Bee Farmer Magazine

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 10:55:28 GMT

Steve, a past guest speaker at Newbattle Beekeepers Association is the newly appointed editor of the Bee Farmer magazine

The magazine is the official journal of the Bee Farmers Association which is the voice of professional beekeeping in the UK. The association represents 450 bee farmer businesses. Find out more from their website:

beefarmers.co.uk

BBC Sounds - The Bee Cello

Mon, 06 Nov 2023 13:57:15 GMT

An abandoned cello rescued from a skip stands alone under a pergola in an orchard of a stately home on the outskirts of Nottingham. In an eccentric experiment, created by one of the world experts in honeybees, apiarist and physicist Prof. Martin Benscik has donated the instrument to 400,000 bees who now live very happily inside the cello.

Listen to the programme here

Stings - The latest post from the Apiarist (David Evans)

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 20:00:57 GMT

Synopsis: Hives of horror! Getting stung and not getting stung. How did the sting of bees evolve and why is it painful … and how often is it fatal?

Read the Full Post Here

Keep an eye on your bees

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 19:28:43 GMT

The number of bees in the hive will be falling and will soon reach their overwintering numbers. These are known as winter bees. These bees can live for up to six months unlike summer bees with a six week life span.

You will see some dead bees outside the hive entrance but this is normal.

An external check is all that is needed at this time of year but make sure the hive is weathertight, stable and that the roof is weighted or strapped-down

Just over three weeks to the 2023 Honey & Craft Show - Get your Entries in Now

Sun, 29 Oct 2023 18:01:38 GMT

Follow the link to download the schedule & Entry Form

(Rules & Regulations and staging guidance can also be found)

Honey and Craft Show - 2023 - Schedule & Entry Form

The Walrus (Steve Donohoe) Reviews his 2023 Beekeeping Season

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 21:27:40 GMT

Now that most of his beekeeping work for this season has finished, and his new book manuscript is off to the publishers Steve has started his Blog Posts again. In this one he reviews his 2023 Beekeeping Season

Read his Review in Full Here

Slip Sliding' Away - The latest from the Apiarist (David Evans)

Sun, 22 Oct 2023 19:13:39 GMT

Cooler and shorter days leaves less time for the critical final tidying of hives before winter. Remember to remove Apivar strips and check the stores. New winter jobs include wax extraction and (more) honey preparation.

Interested in Reading More - Click Here

Scottish Beekeepers Association November Webinar - The Bees of Tasmania

Wed, 18 Oct 2023 16:43:04 GMT

The Scottish Beekeepers Association winter monthly webinars continue! These beekeeping webinars are free and open to all, you just need to register your attendance beforehand for access on the night.

Andrew Abrahams is the next guest speaker in the series. On Wednesday the 1st of November at 19:30, he will be talking about 'The Bees of Tasmania'. Tasmania is home to one of Australia's only populations of pure Black Bees (Apis mellifera mellifera), their native honey bee.

To book your place please click on the link below

I WANT TO BOOK MY PLACE

Six Days to Go to National Honey Day on 21 October

Sun, 15 Oct 2023 10:11:49 GMT

Find downloadable resources on the BBKA website via this link

National Honey Day Resources

Most Bees live Underground - X Ray images reveal how they build their nests

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 20:59:02 GMT

Despite their reputation as nature’s buzziest pollinators, the vast majority of bee species spend most of their lives underground. Now, thanks to a hospital computed tomography (CT) scanner, researchers have revealed new insights into how these insects build their subterranean lairs. The method could help scientists learn more about how bees contribute to healthy soil and find ways to protect these critically threatened creatures.

Read the Article Here

Let's Celebrate National Honey Day on Friday 21 October

Mon, 09 Oct 2023 13:21:26 GMT

Let’s celebrate!

Friday 21 October is the first ever National Honey Day in the UK. The aim of the day is to promote delicious local honey and to highlight the increasing problem of fake ‘honey’.

Honey has been used worldwide for centuries both as food and medicine. It’s a natural source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and is antibacterial. The ancient Egyptians offered honey to their deities and used it to heal infected wounds. It’s widely used in modern medicine infused in wound dressings.

Pure honey comes in a huge range of different flavours, colours and textures. These qualities are determined by which plants the foraging bees have collected nectar from. The flavour can range from light and floral to dark and bitter.

Honey is so delicious to eat but at NBA we also add it to our skincare products as it is antibacterial, nourishing and moisturising.

But bee aware! There’s lots of fake honey out there. Sadly, honey is one of the most faked food in the world! Suppliers mix cheap sugar or corn syrup with honey to bulk it out and bring down the cost. This 'honey' lacks the natural, delicious flavour of pure honey, as well as the health benefits. Look for pure honey with the country of origin clearly shown on the label. Ideally buy a jar of local honey from Newbattle Beekeepers Association from their Online Shop or call by the Bee Academy at Newbattle Abbey College.

Take Me To the Online Shop

Bumblebees take Asian Hornets to the ground in fights

Sun, 08 Oct 2023 11:59:30 GMT

Bumblebees have developed a remarkably successful method for fighting off Asian hornets, new research shows.

Scientists at the University of Exeter found buff-tailed bumblebees drop to the ground when attacked - taking the hornets down with them.

Batten Down the Hatches - The latest post by The Apiarist (David Evans)

Sat, 07 Oct 2023 10:03:17 GMT

Strap your hives down ahead of the winter storms so they don't end up as a "natural disaster" statistic in the surveys of winter losses. Some examples of good and bad practice, and the consequences of not battening down the hatches.

BIBBA members can now access Sales Support - CaSCA

Fri, 06 Oct 2023 10:35:00 GMT

A recently introduced initiative by the Bee Improvement and Bee Breeders Association (BIBBA) provides help and support for commercial and semi-commercial apiarists. To access the support you must be a BIBBA member and have at least one regular sales outlet, keep locally adapted bees and support the aims of BIBBA.

For More Details Click Here

Car pollution stops bees finding flowers - researchers

Thu, 05 Oct 2023 20:44:21 GMT

University of Birmingham researchers say the discovery has implications for our food security.

Find out More on the BBC News Website

The Scottish Smallholder Festival, 14 October 23 - Honey Competition

Wed, 04 Oct 2023 16:03:02 GMT

For all you budding honey competitors, The Scottish Smallholder Festival is being held on Saturday 14 October at The Highland Hall, Ingliston and there is a small honey competition for you to enter. To date they have received no entries and are most keen to recitify this situation.

Closing date for entries is midnight on Sunday 8th October.

Here is the link for all the Festival information and how to enter: Take me to the Festival Website

Scottish Beekeepers Association - Train the Trainers Workshops

Wed, 04 Oct 2023 11:45:55 GMT

The courses are aimed at beekeepers with experience who want to pass this on to others - a perfect fit for our mentors!

Course participants should have gained their Basic Beekeeping Certificate (BB)

The course is run over two days and will run from 09:00 - 17:00 on both days

The course is subsidised by the SBA and Newbattle Beekeepers Association is willing to further subsidise the fee by £50 making the cost to an NBA participant £50.

Places are very limited. To book a place contact Alan Riach Phone or text 07702 436612

Book your place, pay the SBA fee of £100 and reclaim £50 from Newbattle Beekeepers Association

Scottish Beekeeper Magazine Archive

Tue, 03 Oct 2023 11:24:00 GMT

The archive of the Scottish Beekeeper Magazine is now available online. It is in PDF format and is searchable in blocks of one year starting in 1924. It ends with the 2020 magazines if you are not a member of Scottish Beekeepers Association. If you are a member all editions are available via the members area of the website

Access the Public Archive via this Link

UK ApiBioxal approval

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 12:39:19 GMT

A new veterinary medicine to treat for Varroa, ApiBioxal 44.2mg/ml solution, has recently been approved for use in the UK.

It is a ready-to-use treatment based on oxalic acid in solution.

View Product Details Here

SBA Module Exams - Register by 30 September for November Diet

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 09:18:47 GMT

The next diet of module exams is on Saturday 18th of November, but you need to register to sit these exams by Saturday 30th of September.

There's a variety of topics for to choose from including the management of honey bees, their biology, behaviour, diseases and pests, to honey bee products and forage.

Should you wish to find out more please use the link below

SBA Module Exams

Farmers turn to tech as bees struggle to pollinate

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 13:31:29 GMT

Unfortunately for farmers, bee populations are under pressure, due to factors such as climate change, habitat loss and the use of pesticides. The European honeybee is also being badly affected by a parasitic mite called varroa destructor.

Based on a moshav, or collective farm, in central Israel, Mr Sade is the founder of tech firm BloomX. He says that the company has found a way to mechanically pollinate crops in a similar way to bees.

Find out More from the BBC News Website

BeeCraft Voice - October Issue Out Now

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 13:23:52 GMT

Inside this month's magazine:

* Off the beaten track - hunting Asian hornets on the channel coast
* Preparing hive products for the show bench - top tips from a top
exhibitor
* National Honey Show centenary - from Crystal Palace to Sandown Park
* 2023 National Honey Show Programme
* Mitey vibrations - detecting varroa's tiny footsteps
* Inspections and bee farmers - an NBU health audit at a commercial
apiary
* From Ukraine to Slovenia - interview with a Ukrainian beekeeper
attending IMYB
* Shedding light on solitary bees - an interview with Ted Benton

Read the October Issue Here

Suffolk Beekeeper creates 18-mile bee corridor along coast

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 21:08:02 GMT

A police officer-turned-beekeeper has told how he has spent a decade creating a 18-mile (29km) bee corridor to help the insects to thrive.

Read the Full Story on the BBC News Website

The Beekeeping Year - October - Check Out the the Usual Apiary Tasks for October Here

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 09:49:14 GMT

Find out more about the tasks usually undertaken in the apiary during the month of October. click on the link below

the beekeeping year October

Please Don't Forget to Clean Your Equipment

Repurposed - Read All About It - From David Evans, The Apairist

Mon, 25 Sep 2023 10:48:27 GMT

Synopsis: Think laterally, use your imagination, hoard stuff ... there's lots you can repurpose to make both your beekeeping and bank balance better. And it's something to fill the months until the season starts

Repurposed

Wanted - UK Monofloral Honey Samples to set up a database and develop new technology to detect adulteration

Sun, 24 Sep 2023 14:12:04 GMT

Wanted - UK Monofloral honey samples for a project with Aston university, HAN UK and BBKA to set up a database of authentic honey and develop new technology to detect adulteration

Please contact Julie Coleman for sampling protocol/sample tubes

Contact Julie from Here

"Foulbrood in Scotland" - A bee health talk by Fiona Highet - Wednesday 27 September, 19:00

Sat, 23 Sep 2023 09:01:57 GMT

Fiona will deliver her first winter bee health talk of the season - A Brief History of Foulbrood in Scotland - It will be hosted by Cambridgeshire Beekeepers’ Association on Wed 27 Sep, 19:00. All welcome, for more information click on the link below!

https://Book Your Place Hereory-of-foulbrood-disease-and-its-management-in-scotland-tickets-638777258977

See the Video from the BBKA Spring Convention - Randy Oliver, Science & Beekeeping

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 10:44:59 GMT

Click Here to Watch the Video

Randy Oliver: Science and beekeeping - Randy’s talk is based on his recent applied research carried out in his apiaries in California, including his testing of pollen substitutes and determination of what makes some better, concepts for successful varroa management, extended-release oxalic acid, bee drifting, and a test of probiotics. Randy Oliver sees beekeeping through the eyes of a biologist, building a small commercial beekeeping enterprise in the foothills of Northern California. His sons now manage around 1,500 colonies for migratory pollination, and produce queens, nuclei, and honey, freeing Randy to engage full-time in beekeeper-funded research projects. Randy analyses and digests the scientific research, and is in touch with beekeepers and researchers from all over the world, in order to not only broaden his own depth of knowledge, but to figure out best management practices for beekeepers everywhere, which he then happily shares through his various articles in bee magazines, his speaking engagements, and on his website:

ScientificBeekeeping.com

Scottish National Honey Show - Entries Close Saturday 23 September

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 10:28:36 GMT

Scottish National Honey Show

Hurry! Free entry the Scottish National Honey Show competition in Dundee closes soon, this Saturdaythe 23rd of September.

With everything from novice classes, honey, beeswax, crafts, baking, photography and mead with classes for schools there's a competition to suit everyone! So why not enter and have a go, and you never know!
The schedule and entry form can be found below

Click Here to Download Schedule

Staging is between 16:00 - 19:00 on Friday the 29th of September and 08:00 -09.30 on Saturday the 30th of September in Baldragon Academy

The honey show is on at the same time and place as the annual beekeeping convention with Baldragon Beekeepers' Association, so why not combine the two? For more information and to book tickets to the convention on the 30th September click here Ticket sales close Sunday, 24th September.

The Scottish Beekeepers Association Winter Webinars start on 6 October at 19:30

Sun, 17 Sep 2023 13:19:28 GMT

SBA October Webinar

The webinar is free and open to all, just register your attendance beforehand for access on the night.

There is a guest panel for the first webinar on Friday the 6th of October at 19:30 - Enid Brown, Joyce Nisbet, Paul Boyle and John Goodwin will be the panel of experts.
This internationally acclaimed honey judging, and award-winning panel are happy to answer all questions on honey shows and exhibiting. If you would like to pose a question in advance, please email the webinar host, Gino Jabbar by clicking on the link below.I would like to pose a question to the panel

To book your free place use the registration link below

I want to register for the webinar

European Foulbrood Notice - Dunblane Area

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 13:52:42 GMT

The Scottish Government Bee Health Team issue a European Foulbrood Notice informing beekeepers across Scotland of an outbreak of European Foulbrood (EFB) in honey bees in the Dunblane area. This s the first outbreak of EFB detected in recent years.

The outbreak concerns a single hive. EFB was confirmed by SASA on 12 September 2023. BeeBase registered beekeepers within 3km of the infected apiary have been alerted via BeeBase

It is not suggested that beekeepers carry out a full foulbrood inspection but to inspect thoroughly once the weather allows next season. Remove hives that have died as soon as possible. Clean all equipment from dead outs. Do not re-use frames, comb, honey or equipment from dead out hives if unsure as to the reason for the colony's demise.

If foulbrood - AFB or EFB is suspected there is a legal requirement to notify The Scottish Government Honey Bee Health Team bees_mailbox@gov.scot

Apimondia Congress 2025 and 2027

Thu, 14 Sep 2023 16:13:33 GMT

Apimondia, the International Federation of Beekeepers' Associations have announced that the 2025 Congress will be held in:

and the 2027 Congress in:

Visit the Apimondia Website to Find Out More

A Topical Video from Tony Harris NDB on his YouTube Channel - All About Bees

Tue, 12 Sep 2023 19:12:34 GMT

European FoulBrood in a Nuc

Watch the Video Here

Scottish Beekeepers Association Module Exams - Registration Deadline 30 September 23 - Register Here

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 13:48:46 GMT

If you are planning to sit a Module examination in the November 23 diet the deadline for submitting your application is 30 September, 23

You can register and pay the examination fee Here

Teams from the UK learn to hunt Asian Hornets in Jersey

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 11:28:26 GMT

Volunteers in Jersey are training teams of people from across the UK.

Find out more from the BBC News website Here

Varroa - Can you Help to spread the message?

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 10:36:21 GMT

From the Scottish Government Honey Bee Health Team

To let you know that the team and Fiona Highet from SASA have developed a map with what is believed to be the current distribution of Varroa in Scotland. The map highlights areas where Varroa is currently reported as not present as well as areas where particular care is needed due to the low or unknown reported Varroa status.

Varroa continues to be one of the main causes of honeybee colony losses in Scotland and is considered endemic in the UK except in some small pockets in remote areas of Scotland.
Please note that this does not represent official status as no official government surveillance has been conducted. Varroa records on BeeBase, alongside historical SASA records and reports from Scottish beekeepers, were used to map areas to the best of our knowledge where Varroa was reported present; areas where reports were mixed (i.e. smaller localised areas within the area reporting presence/absence); and areas where there were no reports of Varroa. The map also highlights that the islands of Colonsay and Oronsay are Black Bee reserves and that it is illegal to move bees from mainland UK or anywhere else into them.

What we have done so far

We have developed a communications strategy using the map to raise awareness of Varroa-free areas and the importance of protecting these areas by not moving bees from Varroa affected areas. This is of particular importance to islands such as Orkney, which are currently reported as Varroa free. Our aim is to reach as many beekeepers as possible, using a variety of different communication channels and approaches in order to minimise the spread of the mite.

We have designed a poster and flyer for public distribution. See the poster on the home page of the website and download a copy or copies of the flier From Here The poster was on display at the Royal Highland Show in the Scottish Beekeepers Association (SBA) Honey Tent where it received a warm reception. Work is underway for posters to be displayed in ferry ports to Islands currently Varroa absent. Colonsay and Oronsay, as mentioned are specific cases and their protected status does not relate to Varroa, but as an AMM (black bee) nature reserve, however, they are also reported as Varroa free areas and we will also issue specific posters for ports connecting these islands with the mainland. Our Bee Health Advisor, Lorraine Johnston has recently produced an article for the SBA magazine on this topic and the SBA have posted the map on their Facebook pages.

What you can do to help

You can help spread the message about the importance of limiting the spread of Varroa by using your communication channels to promote the map and its messaging. As well as sharing this information with your members, for those associations in the Varroa free areas, you may wish to place flyers and posters in locations where you think your members (and non-member beekeepers) are likely to see it, for example, local libraries, supermarket noticeboards, garden centres, DIY stores, pet shops, farm shops, farm supply shops and anywhere else you feel would raise awareness in your area. You can print out copies of the attached poster and flyer, or, if you do not have facilities to do this, please contact us at Bees_Mailbox@gov.scot to request copies.

The purpose is to raise awareness and to avoid the movement of bees from Varroa affected areas due to misinformation or lack of knowledge.

Additional information

Please remember that Varroa is a reportable pest and it is a legal requirement for all beekeepers to report the presence of the pest. For ease, as per our previous communications, all registered beekeepers in BeeBase were marked as having Varroa, so if you are registered on BeeBase and in an area with Varroa, you do not need to do anything.

However:

If you are not registered on BeeBase and wish to report Varroa, please do so by either registering on BeeBase (it is free) or emailing our team.
If you do not have Varroa in your hives and are registered on BeeBase, please access your record, and change your status to Varroa not present.

We recommend that all beekeepers register with BeeBase to keep up to date with disease and pest information. To register and for further information about how to identify, manage and report Varroa, please visit Varroa » APHA - National Bee Unit - BeeBase

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at Bees_Mailbox@gov.scot

Scottish Government Honey Bee Health Team

UK bees in danger as Asian Hornet sightings rise

Mon, 04 Sep 2023 19:16:33 GMT

Record sightings of Asian hornets are raising fears of catastrophic consequences for the UK's bee populations for years to come.

The invasive hornets are wreaking havoc in mainland Europe and threaten to get a foothold in the UK, with nests found in East Sussex, Kent, Devon and Dorset.

The insects feed on native bees and wasps, damaging biodiversity.

The warning comes as leading scientists release a global report into the threats caused by invasive species.

Scottish Beekeepers Association Annual Convention - Ticket Sales Closing Soon

Mon, 04 Sep 2023 09:39:21 GMT

Ticket Sales Closing

There's only a few weeks left to buy tickets for the SBA annual beekeeping convention at Baldragon Academy in Dundee on Friday 29th and Saturday 30th of September, co-hosted with Baldragon Beekeepers' Association.

The theme this year is Healthy Bees and some wonderful speakers are lined up. Caishlan Sweeney, Dr Kirsty Stainton and Lynfa Davies, NDB. Kirsty will talk on 'Honeybee Diseases' and 'Honeybee Viruses'. Very apt topics given the rise this year in disease instances. Lynfa will not only be discussing the 'Mysteries of Mating' but also 'Honeybee Behaviour'. For more on the speakers please click here.

The convention weekend opens on the evening of Friday 29th September when Baldragon Beekeepers invites everyone to come along and listen to Caishlan Sweeney, as she talks about the Eden Project's plans for their new site in Dundee.

The usual trade area will be there with some great show deals and raffle, PLUS the annual Scottish National Honey Show is on at the same time and place. The SBA are looking forward to welcoming beekeepers from all across Scotland, so please click on the link below

www.sbaconvention.org.uk

Tickets are £30 for adults and £15 for students/juniors and sales close on 24th September.

Don't Miss Out on Your Winter Bee Feed

Sun, 03 Sep 2023 08:57:48 GMT

Make sure that you order your winter bee feed before stocks are depleted. Go to the online shop now and secure your supplies.

Take Me to the Online Shop

Apiguard Advice from the Apiarist (David Evans)

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 18:02:20 GMT

Apiguard activity is temperature-dependent but the instructions are vague on the minimum temperatures needed for high efficacy. Is Apiguard appropriate for the bees in your area? How might you determine this?

Read what David has to say about it Here

Where Did it all Go Wrong For David Evans (The Apairist)

Sun, 27 Aug 2023 20:01:45 GMT

Why was the summer 2023 honey crop so poor (at least here in Scotland) after a bumper Spring harvest, and what could or should I have done instead? Where did it all go wrong for David?

Find Out Here

Product Recall by Thorne - Budget Stainless Steel Smoker

Wed, 23 Aug 2023 11:34:25 GMT

Thorne have put out a recall notice for Budget Stainless Steel Smokers as it has come to their attention that the bellows in this smoker may contain a small amount of chrysotile asbestos. The bellows are light grey in colour and made with reconstituted leather. They have a rough finish.

Find Out More About the Recall Here

These smokers have been available for sale in the UK from most beekeeping suppliers and in many cases are still on sale.

Smokers ordered between April 2019 and May 2023 could be affected.

If you have purchased one of these smokers from Thorne during this period, please contact sales@thorne.co.uk with proof of purchase, to receive replacement bellows.

A useful website showing how to dispose of asbestos is: www.gov.uk/asbestos-in-home.

Limiting the Spread of Disease - A Letter from the Environment Minister, Gillian Martin to Scottish Beekeepers

Tue, 22 Aug 2023 20:46:26 GMT

Read the Ministerial Letter Here

Will You Join me in Helping El Pedernal Community Bank in Santa Ana to Pursue Their Dream

Tue, 22 Aug 2023 15:24:44 GMT

Kiva is an easy way to make a real difference in someone's life. Will you join me in helping El Pedernal Community Bank in Santa Ana to pursue their dream?

Support the Santa Ana Beekeepers

Working together for the past five years, this community bank has found balance with nature and profitability by adding value to their coffee farms. They have learned that working alongside bees, has made each coffee harvest bountiful and so has been the honey harvest. With beautiful orange trees surrounding the coffee plants, they provide a much needed and beneficial shade, this allows the coffee plants to grow with the upside that the honey produced and harvested by El Pedernal Community Bank has a delicious orange zest smell and taste; a much liked characteristic by many who purchase it.

It is through both activities that each family is able to provide for their own and continue with their labor. Because demand has grown in the past year, they need to increase their productivity and this is why they are looking for their first KIVA loan. They community bank will use the funds to buy bigger and better beehives and honey collecting equipment so as to keep up with the demand. Pictured here are some of El Pedernal Community Bank members.

Read the latest Blog Post from the Apiarist (David Evans) Too Many Honey Bees in Town?

Sun, 20 Aug 2023 20:40:19 GMT

Click on the link below to read the post

Too Many Honey Bees in Town?

Read the latest post by Ann Chilcott on the Beelistener (Another Beast From the East)

Fri, 18 Aug 2023 08:22:59 GMT

another-beast-from-the-east

Would you recognise a tropilaelaps mite if you found one in a hive? Click on the link above for more information.

Bees for Development - Resource Centre - Information on Honey Bee Biology

Tue, 15 Aug 2023 12:12:51 GMT

Packed with useful information on honey bee biology and practical beekeeping, including training manuals, how-to videos, articles, scientific references and Bees for Development Journal - all free to access from anywhere in the world.

Visit the Resource Centre

You can also request printed resources for training and awareness-raising events, especially where internet connection is unreliable.

The Chilled-out Walrus Philosophy of Beekeeping and Life

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 21:35:22 GMT

When he was between the ages of five and ten years old, he was labelled a “genius” and a “prodigy” by several of his teachers because everything came easy. Once he went to secondary school, it soon became apparent that he was neither of those things; he had just been a slightly quicker developer than his class mates

National Honey Monitoring Scheme - Sample Pack Request Limit Reached

Fri, 11 Aug 2023 19:29:47 GMT

2023 sample pack requests CLOSED

Due to super enthusiasm for taking part in the scheme the limit for the number of sampling packs planned for sending out in 2023 has been reached so the sample pack request option on the website is now closed. This means you will no longer be able to request a sample pack, but if you have received one already please go ahead and collect your samples and send them back. The scheme is sorry to disappoint but they are managing their time and resources this year to avoid last year's sample backlog and delay in producing results.

The Latest (11 Aug) Post from The Apiarist - David Evans

Fri, 11 Aug 2023 17:06:44 GMT

Take your winter losses now - Unite weak colonies or those headed by dodgy queens........

American Foulbrood (AFB) outbreak in the Calders area of West Lothian

Sun, 06 Aug 2023 20:50:44 GMT

See below for a copy of an email from Nicola Kerr, the Policy Head of Animal Welfare and Bee Health at the Directorate for Agriculture and Rural Economy. She asked that we share the information with our members.

We would be grateful if you could please share the following information with your members.

We are contacting you to inform you of an outbreak of American Foulbrood (AFB) in honey bees near the Calders area of the Lothians. This is the first outbreak of AFB detected in this area in recent years.

This outbreak concerns a number of hives and was discovered by Scottish Government bee inspectors during the delivery of their honey bee health inspection programme, with the diseases being confirmed by SASA on 3 August 2023.

The beekeeper concerned has been informed of the official confirmation of the diseases. They are fully cooperating with the Scottish Government bee health inspectors.

The colonies infected with AFB will be humanely euthanized as there is no permitted treatment for the disease in the UK. Restrictions are in place in the affected apiaries. We are working with the beekeeper to identify the possible origin of this outbreak as well as any possible spread of disease.

BeeBase registered beekeepers within 3 km from the infected apiary will also be alerted of this outbreak via BeeBase.

What does this mean?

This is an informative announcement to raise awareness of key points. There are no subsequent restrictions in the area as a result of this finding other than those in place for the infected apiaries.

Next Steps

Please can beekeepers also be reminded of the importance of acquainting themselves with the symptoms of foulbrood diseases and how to carry out a full foulbrood inspection. All beekeepers should carry out at least one foulbrood inspection a year, but we recommend more frequent inspections for those in areas where disease has been confirmed

If there is any suspicion of AFB or EFB, there is a legal requirement to notify the Scottish Government Honey Bee Health Team.

Strict biosecurity is the best prevention to avoid infection, especially for beekeepers who are located within the outbreak area. Swarms of unknown origins should be isolated in a quarantine apiary and inspected for signs of disease before they are brought into contact with other colonies.

Extreme care should be taken with old and second-hand equipment. Such equipment should be thoroughly cleansed and sterilised before re-utilising. In our experience, old infected equipment is the main source of spread of AFB.

Free registration to BeeBase is available at the National Bee Unit website. Registration on BeeBase also ensures that other beekeepers in an area are automatically alerted to disease outbreaks.

Additional information can be found on the following webpages:

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at: Bees_Mailbox@gov.scot

Best wishes

Nicola

Policy Head of Animal Welfare and Bee Health | Animal Health and Welfare Division | Directorate for Agriculture and Rural Economy

(She/Her) Full-time remote home worker: please contact me at Nicola.kerr@gov.scot, or on MS Teams. I work a 9-day fortnight with every second Monday off.

BIBA Conference - Early Bird Rate Ends Tomorrow ( 1st August)

Mon, 31 Jul 2023 11:56:48 GMT

BIBBA Conference Early Bird Rate Ends Tomorrow

BIBBA Conference Programme 2023

"BIBBA: Supporting Practical Beekeeping"
There are two streams:-
Room 2: “Early Years” for beekeepers who are developing their knowledge and skills and want to
move on from what they may have been taught as beginners.
Room 1: “Later Years” for more advanced and general.
Participants are free to attend whichever presentation they wish.

Friday 1 Sept
10.00 onwards. Venue open
15.00 Town Walk: Philip Johnes: Details TBA
18.20 Welcome
18.30 Presentation
Kevin Williams: "History and Traditions of Bee Keeping in Wales"
19.30 Dinner
20.30 Quiz

Saturday 2 Sept
8.15 Registration
9.15 – 9.30 Introduction and Open Conference
Room 1: Caroline Mullinex. Welsh BKA Chair:
9.30 – 10.30 Presentation
Room 1: TBA
10.30 – 11.00 Break
11.00 – 12.30 Presentations
Room 1: Steve Riley: "Identifying varroa resistant traits"
Panel: "We have varroa resistant bees; do we have resistant beekeepers?"
Room 2: Lynfa Davies: "Queen rearing with just a few colonies"
Panel: "Is small scale queen rearing difficult?"
12.30 – 13.30 Lunch
13.30 – 15.00 Presentations
Room 1: Ceri Morgan: "Making a living from Locally Adapted Bees"
Panel: "Locally adapted bees: are they an important resource?"
Room 2: Karl Colyer: "Beekeeping on a Budget"
Panel: "Can beekeeping be a zero cost hobby?"
15.00 – 15.30 Break
15.30 – 17.00 Presentations
Room 1: Lynfa Davies: "How and why encourage drones?"
Panel: "Should we promote drone management more?"
Room 2: Jo Widdicombe: "Native, near-native, locally adapted or imported?"
Panel: "An alternative approach - Moving towards sustainable bee
improvement"
19.00 Dinner

Sunday 3 Sept
8.15 Registration
9.00 – 10.00 Presentations
Room 1: Dan Etheridge: "The Tropilaeplaps mite - Varroa’s exotic house mate!"
Room 2: Helen Tworkowski: "Lessons from the Bee Shed"
10.00 – 10.30 Break
10.30 – 12.00 Presentations
Room 1: Roger Patterson: "BIBBA: Defining and Supporting Small-Scale Commercial
Beekeepers"
Panel: "What and how can BIBBA do more to support Small-Scale
Commercial Beekeepers?"
Room 2: Kevin Thorn: "Producing locally adapted queens is more fun than buying them"
Panel: "Bought queens: Do we always know what we are getting and why
should we care?"
12.00 – 13.00 Lunch
13.00 – 14.30 Presentations
Room 1: Colm ONeill: "Colony assessment: How to identify top performers"
Panel: "Should we assess colonies to suit the bees, beekeeper or both?"
Room 2: David Parker: "Beekeeping with a full time job"
Panel: "Hints and Tips for Beekeepers with limited time"
14.30 – 15.30 Presentations
Room 1: Dorian Pritchard: "Genetic priorities for honey bee conservation and their application
in a new Dark Bee reserve"
Room 2: Peter Jenkins: "The Kiss Approach to Beekeeping"

Full Details & Registration

Full Details & Registration

Asian Hornet nest found and destroyed in Plymouth

Sun, 30 Jul 2023 11:23:28 GMT

Officials urge beekeepers to remain vigilant following confirmed sighting of the predatory insect.

Find out more on the BBC News website

Foulbrood Notice - European & American - Haddington Area of East Lothian

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 09:58:06 GMT

The following is a notice issued by the Scottish Government Bee Health Team for beekeepers across Scotland.

"We are contacting you to inform you of an outbreak of both American Foulbrood (AFB) and European Foulbrood (EFB) in the Haddington area of East Lothian. This is the first outbreak of AFB and EFB detected in this area in recent years.

The beekeeper concerned has been informed of the official confirmation of both diseases. They are fully cooperating with the Scottish Government bee health inspectors. The colonies infected with AFB will be humanely euthanised as there is no permitted treatment for the disease in the UK.

Restrictions are in place in the apiaries. We are working with the beekeeper to identify the possible origin of this outbreak as well as any possible spread of disease.

Registered beekeepers within 3 km from the infected apiaries will also be alerted of this outbreak via BeeBase and our bee health inspectors will continue to deliver disease surveillance inspections in these areas.

22 AFB infected colonies have now been found in nine different apiaries, belonging to four different beekeepers in Scotland this year.

119 infected EFB colonies have been found in 71 different apiaries, belonging to 15 different beekeepers in Scotland this year.

Disease trends are publicly available on ‘BeeBase’ (APHA’s National Bee Unit website).

What does this mean?

This is an informative announcement to raise awareness of key points. There are no subsequent restrictions in the area as a result of this finding other than those in place for the infected apiary.

Next Steps

Please can beekeepers also be reminded of the need to acquaint themselves with the symptoms of foulbrood diseases and how to carry out a full foulbrood inspection. Foulbrood inspections should be carried out at least once a year, but we encourage more regular inspections in the areas where disease has been confirmed.

If there is any suspicion of AFB, or European Foulbrood (EFB), there is a legal requirement to notify the Scottish Government Bee Inspectorate.

Free registration to BeeBase is available at the National Bee Unit website. Registration on BeeBase also ensures that other beekeepers in an area are automatically alerted to disease outbreaks."

Additional information can be found on the following web pages:

· Foulbrood – how to spot and report the disease

· Honey bee health guidance

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at:

Bees_Mailbox@gov.scot

Thank You

National Honey Show Centenary 1923 - 2023, Thursday 26 - Saturday 28 October 2023

Mon, 24 Jul 2023 10:43:30 GMT

International Classes and Beekeeper's Autumn Lecture Convention

Honey, Beeswax, Art & Music, Special Centenary Competition Classes

Shop Window Display Class for Hive Products

Exhibition of Eric Tourneret's Photographs

Trees for Bees

Display of Cups & Trophies

and more.........

Lectures, Workshops, Trade Hall

Celebrate 100 years of The National Honey Show

Contact the Show Secretary Here

Visit the Website Here

Bumblebee-friendly Schools Applications are now open with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust

Sun, 23 Jul 2023 13:55:39 GMT

Bumblebee Conservation Trust

Bumblebee-friendly Schools applications are NOW OPEN!

If you know a school that has been working hard to become more bumblebee-friendly, they can now apply for Bumblebee-friendly School accreditation

If they have not started the journey to make their school more bumblebee-friendly, find out how to get involved

Find out More & Register Your Interest

Share with your local schools to get them buzzing about bumblebees

Are You Registered on "BeeConnected" - A valuable tool connecting Beekeepers with Farmers using Crop Protection Products

Thu, 20 Jul 2023 20:19:40 GMT

BeeConnected

Click on the link to find out more

National Honey Monitoring Scheme - A Peek Behind the Scenes

Tue, 18 Jul 2023 09:36:44 GMT

The entoLIVE blog for The National Honey Monitoring Scheme: A Peek Behind The Scenes entoLIVE webinar is now live via the link below. The blog includes a recording of the presentation as well as a transcription of the Q&A

National Honey Monitoring Scheme - A Peek Behind the Scenes

Scottish Beekeepers Association Convention & Honey Show, 29 & 30 September, Baldragon Academy, Dundee

Fri, 14 Jul 2023 15:27:50 GMT

SBA CONVENTION & HONEY SHOW

This year's Scottish National Honey Show will take place at the same time and place as the Annual Beekeeping Convention, on Friday 29th and Saturday 30th September in Baldragon Academy, Dundee.

With everything from novice classes, honey, beeswax, crafts, baking, photography, mead to young beekeepers and schools' classes there's a competition to suit everyone! So why not give it a go, and who knows you could add 'Award Winning' or 'Scottish Champion' to your products or promotions! Plus, it's FREE to enter!

For the competition classes and rules, please click below

Honey Show Schedule

To download an entry form please click here. Entries should be emailed before Saturday 23rd September to

enid.brown@scottishbeekeepers.org.uk

Entries will be accepted after the 23rd September and at the event, but there will be a late entry penalty of £5 which will be donated to Bees for Development.

Entries can be staged on Friday 29th September between 4pm and 7pm and then between 8am and 9.30am on Saturday 23rd September, with judging beginning at 10am.

Good luck, see you there!

EDEN PROJECT DUNDEE

On Friday 29th September, the annual Beekeeping Convention opens in Baldragon Academy, Dundee with guest speaker, Caishlan Sweeney.

Caishlan will be sharing more details on the Eden Projects planned new Dundee base and their wild flower project.

To find out more about Caishlan, her talk and how to book your place at the convention please click here.

CONVENTION GUESTS

two guest lecturers will be at the Beekeeping Convention, Kirsty Stainton and Lynfa Davies.

Kirsty will be discussing Honey Bee Diseases and also the Mystery of Mating.

Lynfa's talks will cover Honey Bee Viruses and Honey Bee Behaviour.

To find out more about the guest speakers, the convention and to book tickets please click here.

Sheffield Beekeepers - Pollen Chart - You might Find it Useful

Tue, 11 Jul 2023 18:47:02 GMT

I found this on the Sheffield Beekeepers Website

Take a look an see what you think

View the Pollen Chart Here

Honeybee brains could bring AI breakthrough, say Sheffield experts

Sun, 09 Jul 2023 16:27:31 GMT

A study in Sheffield points to the brain power of bees as a way of improving AI systems.

Read the full story on the BBC website

Here

We are exhibiting at Dalkeith Show this year (Saturday 8 July)

Tue, 04 Jul 2023 12:08:06 GMT

To Visit our Stand at the

Dalkeith Show

Dalkeith Show is held on the second Saturday of July each year at Dalkeith Country Park, with Dalkeith Palace as an impressive backdrop. The show returns to The Park this year on 8 July.

The Show includes a huge range of competitions, in categories for cattle, sheep, horses, ponies, dogs, crafts and baking. There will be around 100 trade and craft stands including Newbattle Beekeepers Association showcasing farm machinery, motor vehicles, furniture, shepherds’ crooks, and gifts.

We will have honey for sale and other "products of the hive"

Attractions also include a large display of vintage tractors, a children’s area (with bouncy castles and slides) and catering and bar marquee – there’s definitely something for everyone!

Tickets can be purchased on the day:

Adult – £12
Concession/child under 16 – £6
Carers & Children under 5 – Free
Family ticket: (2 adults and 2 children under 16) – £30

Find out more

Check this out on the BBC Scotland News Website - Glasgow City Bar Forced to Close by Huge Bee Swarm

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 10:15:47 GMT

The bees arrived in a swarm and gradually formed a nest on the railings outside the Glasgow bar.

Read the full story by Katy Scott on the BBC Scotland news website

Here

Two Full Colonies of Bees for Sale

Sat, 17 Jun 2023 17:32:12 GMT

Sami is looking to sell two colonies of bees

Take a Look Here

BeeBase have Redesigned their Website

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 19:01:23 GMT

The National Bee Unit have redesigned their BeeBase website. In addition to a sleek new look and more e-learning resources, data is now available in map format. This includes data on disease incidence, inspections and colony and apiary density at 10 km square resolution.

Take me to BeeBase

Conservationists tackle decline of Scottish coastal species

Mon, 05 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT

A £6.5m scheme to help prevent the extinction of priority species in Scotland has been launched.

Monday 5 June is World Environment Day

Sun, 04 Jun 2023 15:57:35 GMT

WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY

On Monday the 5th, the global community will be celebrating World Environment Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness and action for the protection of the environment.

This year's theme is Solutions to Plastic Pollution. The UN states that more than 430 million tons of plastic are produced each year, two-thirds of which is cast aside as waste after just one use.

If you would like to find out more about how to beat plastic pollution then head over to the UN's World Environment Day Website.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY

Bees for Development - Garden Party Fundraiser - 14 June 2023, 4 - 7.30pm

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 19:20:35 GMT

Bees for Development are holding their Bee Garden Party Fundraiser, on Wednesday 14 June. It is going to be a completely unique celebration of bees. There are only a few days left to buy tickets - don't miss out!

Also, wherever you live there are opportunities to join the fun online:

The celebrity Bee Art and Prize Auctions will be live tomorrow, 2 June with some great prizes - take a look now using the green link below. Bees for Development are delighted by the tremendous support they have received towards their fundraiser.

Bees For Development Fundraiser

Volunteers Week - 1 - 7 June 2023

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 12:58:22 GMT

Volunteers Week takes place 1-7 June every year. It's a chance to recognise the fantastic contribution our volunteers make to our association and say thank you.

It is a time to celebrate and inspire. We want to highlight that our diversity is our strength and show that there’s more than one way to volunteer and encourage our members to be the change that we want to see.

Our members engage and help with the running and management of the association in many different ways, by becoming a mentor, sub group member, work party participant, delivering outreach activities and last but not least trustee management board members. Our volunteers are active throughout the year, so taking the time during Volunteers’ Week to celebrate and recognise their efforts and all they contribute to our association which is part of the voluntary sector and local community is so important.

We are arrange and deliver events, both online and in–person, for our members and wider community.

Activities will be happening during the week in preparation for the Scottish Beekeepers Association exams the following week. Are you involved? Its not too late to volunteer!

The Careers Event for P5/6 Pupils at the National Mining Museum Today

Wed, 31 May 2023 20:22:59 GMT

Many thanks to our members who participated in making our participation at the Midlothian Schools Careers Event of P5/6 pupils at the National Mining Museum such a great success. We were able to engage with pupils from ten Midlothian Primary Schools over the course of the day as well as the class teachers and parent helpers. In all around 300 pupils attended the event and many of them visited the Newbattle Beekeepers Association stand and engaged in conversation with our outreach team.

Jonathan H and his wife created an interactive visual aid to show the importance of pollination and pollinators in the food chain. It was very popular with the young visitors to our stand was instrumental in starting of many of our conversations with the children.

Plants For Bees - RHS Recommendations

Sat, 27 May 2023 19:48:12 GMT

Make your garden a haven for bees by planting pollen and nectar-rich flowers.

Follow the link to the RHS website to check out their recommendations

RHS Planting Recommendations

Read the Monthly BeeCraft Magazine online via their Website

Fri, 26 May 2023 09:17:34 GMT

You will need our new subscriber number (01273526) along with the postcode (EH49 7SR), to login to the BeeCraft user area of the website. See an image of the login page.
You will no longer be able to view the digital version of the magazine via their website with our old subscriber ID/password.

American Foulbrood (AFB) confirmed in Perthshire on 24 May

Thu, 25 May 2023 06:11:17 GMT

The following is a notice issued by the Scottish Government Bee Health Team for beekeepers across Scotland.

We are contacting you to inform you of an outbreak of American Foulbrood (AFB) in the Bridge of Earn area of Perthshire. This is the first finding of AFB in Scotland this year.

This outbreak concerns a single hive and was first reported to the Scottish Government by the beekeeper, with the disease being confirmed by SASA on the 24^th of May 2023.

The beekeeper concerned has been informed of the official confirmation of the disease. They are fully cooperating with the Scottish Government bee health inspectors. The infected colony will be humanely euthanised and the hive will be destroyed as there is no permitted treatment for the disease in the UK. Restrictions are in place in the apiary. We are working with the beekeeper to identify the possible origin of this outbreak as well as any possible spread of disease.

Beekeepers within 3 km from the infected apiary will also be alerted of this outbreak via BeeBase.

What does this mean?

This is an informative announcement to raise awareness of key points. There are no subsequent restrictions in the area as a result of this finding other than those in place for the infected apiary.

Next Steps

Please can beekeepers also be reminded of the need to acquaint themselves with the symptoms of foulbrood diseases and how to carry out a full foulbrood inspection. Foulbrood inspections should be carried out at least once a year.

If there is any suspicion of AFB, or European Foulbrood (EFB), there is a legal requirement to notify the Scottish Government Bee Inspectorate.

Strict bio-security is the best prevention to avoid infection, especially for beekeepers who are located within the outbreak area. Swarms of unknown origins should be isolated in a quarantine apiary and inspected for signs of disease before they are brought into contact with other colonies.

Extreme care should be taken with old and second-hand equipment. Such equipment should be thoroughly cleansed and sterilised before re-utilising. In our experience, old infected equipment is the main source of spread of AFB.

In addition, we would like to emphasise the importance of registering and keeping the locations of apiaries up to date in BeeBase. This will allow the Scottish Government Bee Health Team to assess if there has been a risk of disease spreading to their bees. This is all the more important for those beekeepers who find themselves within the area where the outbreak has been confirmed.

Free registration to BeeBase is available at the National Bee Unit website. Registration on BeeBase also ensures that other beekeepers in an area are automatically alerted to disease outbreaks.

Additional information can be found on the following web pages:

· Foulbrood – how to spot and report the disease

· Honey bee health guidance

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at:

Bees_Mailbox@gov.scot

Thank You

Win Free Tickets to Gardeners' World Live

Tue, 23 May 2023 19:26:58 GMT

To enter the draw, email BeeCraft by 1 June 2023

Terms & Conditions

You can win a pair of adult tickets (value £54.00)

valid for Sunday 18 June

Celebrate World Bee Day with NBA - Plant For Pollinators

Sat, 20 May 2023 07:00:00 GMT

The theme this year is - Bee Engaged & Bee Pollinator Friendly

7 Things You Can Do for Pollinators

PLANT FOR POLLINATORS

Habitat opportunities abound on every landscape – from window boxes, farms, business & school campuses and roadside verges – every site can be a habitat.
Utilise plants native to your area (or at the least, non-invasive for your area)
Know your soil type and select appropriate plant material.
Plant in clusters to create a "a target' for pollinators to find.
Plant for continuous flowering throughout the growing season - Spring to Autumn.
Select a site that is sheltered from wind, has at least partial sun, and can provide water.
Allow material from dead branches and logs to remain as nesting sites; Allow patches of bare ground for ground-nesting bees to use; consider installing bee hotels for wood-nesting natives.

Bees Abroad - Prize Draw - to celebrate World Bee Day

Thu, 18 May 2023 14:30:06 GMT

Bee Part of The Green Story and enter the Bees Abroad Prize Draw to win one of seven fantastic prizes! The draw closes at Midnight, 20 May. You could be soon enjoying an overnight stay at the Royal Lancaster or Afternoon Tea at the Ritz. Every entry supports Bees Abroad beekeeping projects! So have a go and please share with a friend!

Buy Your Prize Draw Tickets Here

World Bee Day, Saturday 20 May

Wed, 17 May 2023 15:07:10 GMT

We all know the bee basics. They’re important pollinators. They make honey. They make buzz. They like to join you at picnics.

But did you know that they also provide us with medicines and even help keep our planet beautiful and healthy?

Take the FAO bee quiz and learn more about these tiny food heroes!

Quiz - What's the Buzz About Bees?

Restricted Access to the College - Friday 19 May & Saturday 20 May.

Wed, 17 May 2023 15:04:48 GMT

Due to a private event taking place at the college on Saturday 20 May, the main driveway will be closed from 4 pm on Friday 19 May until 5 pm on Saturday 20 May. There will be restricted access to the front of the college building from 8 am – 5pm on Saturday 20 May.

The visitor car park on the left-hand side of the main entrance, can still be used and those visiting without a car can still access the grounds.

Royal Highland Show - Entries close Sunday 21 May

Tue, 16 May 2023 11:54:28 GMT

The closing date to get your entries in for the Scottish Honey Championships is fast approaching!

Entries close on Sunday 21 May. You can enter online.

Take a look at the Schedule Here

National Honey Monitoring Scheme - Sample Pack Requests for 2023

Thu, 11 May 2023 07:55:28 GMT

There are some gaps in coverage across the UK, notably central Wales, the North East of England and Scotland.

Would you like to participate or to find out more about the scheme? If your answer is Yes then visit their website to find out more and request sample packs.

Take me to the Website

Scottish Beekeepers Association - Beekeeping Convention, 29th & 30th September

Wed, 10 May 2023 08:11:25 GMT

Scottish Beekeepers Association

Annual Beekeeping Convention

The Annual Convention will be held a Baldragon Academy in Dundee on Friday 29th and Saturday 30th September co-hosted by Baldragon Beekeepers' Association.

The theme this year is Healthy Bees. The speakers are Caishlan Sweeney, Kirsty Stainton and Lynda Davies.

There will be the usual trade area and raffle. Tickets are on sale now at £30 each or £15 for students and juniors

Buy Your Tickets Here

Bees For Development Bee Garden Party - Tickets on Sale Now

Fri, 05 May 2023 10:43:34 GMT

Tickets are on sale for the Bees For Development "Bee Garden Party" on 14 June, to be held in the private gardens of Marlborough House by kind permission of HM The King.

The party will be hosted by Martha Kearney, and Gyles Brandreth will be the auctioneer.

For Tickets and Information

Find out More Here

The Scottish Beekeepers Association Annual General Meeting April 29, 2023

Sat, 29 Apr 2023 19:37:32 GMT

The Scottish Beekeepers Association AGM was held today at the Loch Leven Campus, Muirs, Kinross. A small number of Newbattle Beekeepers Association members attended including Lorraine Aitken who received an award for her outstanding service to NBA over a number of years.

Lorraine with her award and below with the other award recipients including Matthew (standing far left)

Helen Nelson retired as General Secretary but was elected as a trustee as was Gino Jabbar. Our very good friend Matthew Richardson was elected President. We are looking forward to welcoming Matthew to Newbattle on 10 June when he will be part of the Scottish Beekeepers Association team of examiners for the Basic Beekeeper Examination.

Ready, Steady Go - Read the latest Blog Post by David Evans - aka The Apiarist

Mon, 24 Apr 2023 17:57:13 GMT

Synopsis : A few tips and tricks for first inspections; what to do (and what not to do) about brace comb, supering and queen reintroduction. Introduction The on again, off again, Spring this year has finally decided it wants to be here, rather than somewhere a lot further South. After an unseasonably warm February, March […]

Read more of this post

A Hive of Activity at the Cottage and Apiary on Saturday 22 April

Sun, 23 Apr 2023 15:14:35 GMT

It was all hands to the deck on Saturday when fourteen members joined the work party to prepare equipment, garden, apiary and cottage for the new season of beekeeping.

Hive parts were painted, cleaned and sorted. The seeds were planted in the raised planting beds and the garden and apiary were made tidy. The steam cleaner worked overtime in the first stage of cleaning wooden hive parts that were then scrubbed by the cleaning team using a soda crystal wash

Jonathan & Ross painting hive parts

Zander, Lorraine and camera shy Keith scrubbing crown boards & queen excluders

Helen C and Val working in the raised garden beds

Tomorrow is Earth Day - 22 April

Fri, 21 Apr 2023 09:10:25 GMT

Earth Day, on April 22nd, marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. This celebration of eco-consciousness takes place across the globe with over 190 countries taking part.

From parades, to parties, protests to clean-ups and rallies there are many ways to show your support for a sustainable future. Or we can simply take a moment to rethink our daily habits and rituals, and make a small step-change to do a little more.

View the official Earthday website here

Leicester study investigates pollution effect on bees

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 20:04:48 GMT

Dr Hannah Sampson says air pollution's impact on bees could have a knock on effect for humans.

Read more by clicking on the link to take you to the BBC website

BBC - Leicestershire

Cardiff scientists look at honey as drug alternative

Tue, 18 Apr 2023 11:16:07 GMT

Could the honey bee help in the fight against infections caused by bacteria resistant to antibiotics?

Find out more by clicking on the link bellow:

BBC News - Wales

Let There Be Light - And There Was Light - Thanks to Ian Evans et al.

Mon, 17 Apr 2023 17:29:46 GMT

I called into the Apiary Cottage on Saturday and was able to turn on a light in every room!

There are also power sockets a plenty, all thanks to Ian Evans who organised the installation of the wiring and the fittings. I believe he was ably assisted by Colin MacKenzie and maybe an electrician. It has been a long time in coming but now that we have security of tenure on the cottage we can finally go ahead with the improvements that are planned.

Watch this space for updates!

Read the latest Blog Post from the Apairist - Where should Bait Hives be Located to Capture Your Own Lost Swarms?

Sat, 15 Apr 2023 10:38:52 GMT

Synopsis : Where should bait hives be located to capture your own lost swarms? Can you omit the old brood frame and still make the bait hive attractive? Introduction Social media can be seriously misleading for beekeepers. For months now it seems like I’ve been reading about boxes bulging with bees, third supers being added, […]
Read more of this post

Newbattle Abbey College - Introduction to Beekeeping Course Starting 3rd May

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 09:47:52 GMT

Calling all bee-keepers in the making. The Newbattle Abbey 6-week introduction course starts on the 3rd May!

The Course covers:

The ancient art of beekeeping

The science of honey bee reproduction and honey production

You will get to view the hives later in the course when the weather is warmer

Book your place

http://Here

Asian Hornet discovered inside a cauliflower in Northumberland

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 09:43:01 GMT

On Wednesday 5th April the National Bee Unit received a credible triaged report of an Asian hornet discovered inside a cauliflower within a weekly vegetable delivery in Northumberland, approximately 20 miles north of Newcastle upon Tyne. The cauliflower was produced in France. The NBU responded to the report and a bee inspector collected the hornet later the same day for analysis. This was a single hornet incursion and follow up activities will take place to raise risk awareness with the producer/distributor/seller.

BBKA "Set-up" phase of their Learning Platform is now live

Fri, 07 Apr 2023 15:59:44 GMT

BBKA has completed the set-up phase of the online Learning Platform. Now, every BBKA Member can access study units by using their membership number as a login and creating an account at:

https://learning.bbka.org.uk/

The types of study units are:

· Units for individual beekeepers (free)

· Units for the public, to raise awareness (free)

· Correspondence courses (fee paying)

The first individual study units available are: Hygiene and Disease Inspection and Asian Hornet Awareness. More units will be added through the summer. If you have photos or videos that could be used please send them to:

mailto:photosandvideos@bbka.org.uk

The general public will have access to non-specialist study units about Asian Hornet and Swarming. Future materials will include planting for pollinators. If you can help with this, please contact jane.medwell@bbka.org.uk

Also BBKA News is now stored digitally on the Learning Platform, so you can enjoy reading past issues online.

2023 AGM held at the Bee Academy on Sunday 2 April @ 13:00

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 10:33:27 GMT

The 2023 AGM was held at the Bee Academy on Sunday 2 April. A presentation was delivered by Martin Vevers, outgoing Chair and Steve Campbell, outgoing Treasurer highlighting the activities and financial performance over the period January - December 2022. A copy of the full Trustees' Annual Report on which the highlights were based is available to read Here

Elections were held to appoint the Trustee Management Board for 2023 - 24. Helen Nelson was elected as Chair, Paul Casey as Vice Chair, Valerie Watt as Secretary and Malcolm Evans as Treasurer.

Martin Vevers stood down as Chair, Rosemary Mackay as Secretary Steve Campbell as Treasurer and Lorraine Aitken as Trustee. Lorraine, Rosemary and Steve did not seek re-election. Martin was elected as a trustee. The other four trustees elected were Ian Evans, David Hennessey, Colin McKenzie and Neil Rutherford.

The meeting also considered proposed changes to the Constitution as Adopted at the AGM in February 2020 and voted by a large majority to accept the changes proposed.

The meeting concluded with lunch and presentations to the retiring trustees to thank them for their work on behalf of the association.

Registration closes on 10 April for Scottish Beekeepers Association Junior & Basic Beekeeping Certificates

Sat, 01 Apr 2023 08:58:01 GMT

Our 2022/23 cohort of Foster Parents will be sitting their Basic Beekeeping Certificate exam in June this year. The 10th is in the diary but still to be confirmed. It will be an informative day with the friendly examiner's and also an opportunity to relax after it is all over with the Bee Academy open all day for light refreshments.

BeeBase-Bee Count Result

Fri, 31 Mar 2023 09:04:10 GMT

More than 11,000 beekeepers in the UK updated their information on BeeBase during the 2022 NBU Hive Count, up from around 9,000 in 2021. Currently, there are over 48,000 beekeepers registered on BeeBase and around 23% updated their records. The count revealed a slightly higher figure of 288,311 colonies in the UK compared to 272,631 in the previous year.

BBC - News - Vaccine could save billions of bees from deadly disease

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 09:04:58 GMT

Bees play a pivotal role in US agriculture but are dying at alarming rates. Can this vaccine save them?

Watch a short BBC news video Here

Scottish Beekeepers Association - Last Winter Webinar - The Nest of the Honeybee

Sun, 26 Mar 2023 15:28:32 GMT

The Scottish Beekeepers Association will welcome back Professor Jürgen Tautz as the final guest lecture of their winter webinar series.

Prof Tautz will be online on Weds 5th April to talk about the Nest of the Honeybee.

To book your FREE place please click on the link below

https://register.gotowebinar.com/regi.../6597528688019154189

Prof Tautz is a behavioural scientist, socio-biologist and bee expert. He is Professor of the Biocentre at the Julius Maximilians University in Würzburg, Germany and founder and chair of its BEE research group. He is also the author of several popular science books on bees and holder of the Communicator Award of the DFG (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft – German Research Foundation).

#scottish #beekeeper #beekeeping #honeybee #webinar #online #education #knowledgeshare

Scottish Beekeeper Magazine Archive

Sat, 25 Mar 2023 15:04:30 GMT

For non-Scottish Beekeepers Association members, the archive of the Scottish Beekeeper Magazine is now available on line. It is in PDF format and is searchable in blocks of one year, starting in 1924 up to 2020.

For access click Here

Protective Bags in which to keep your honey supers before and after extraction

Fri, 24 Mar 2023 10:26:28 GMT

Last year we tried and tested a small number of honey super zipped bags in which the supers were kept before and after extraction. They proved very useful. Lorraine purchased them from Surrey Bees but was only able to obtain a small number.

The topic of extraction came up at a recently held apiary management group and it was agreed that we should try and purchase more. They are now in stock and in addition to using them for the association they will be made available to members. If you would like to purchase some for your own honey crop they can be ordered via the online shop. They will cost you £4.65 each. A small price to pay to keep your honey safe and sound.

Take me to the Online Shop

Scottish Beekeepers Association Module Exams Scheduled for 18 March

Tue, 14 Mar 2023 19:11:00 GMT

We are looking forward to hosting the Scottish Beekeepers Association Module Examination on Saturday 18 March. candidates will make their way to the Bee Academy for a 10:00am start. They will be writing Modules One, Two, Six and Seven papers.

Many thanks to Neil Rutherford for helping to prepare Newbattle Beekeepers Association candidates with his weekly study Group sessions.

Can You Help Thomas Gfeller, a Swiss Beekeeper with his Treatment Free Beekeeping Survey?

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 11:07:36 GMT

TREATMENT FREE BEEKEEPING SURVEY

Thomas Gfeller, a Swiss beekeeper who has been treatment free for 15 years, is undertaking a survey for his diploma thesis in beekeeping.

He writes:

“I am looking for beekeepers who practise in some form a beekeeping without treatments against varroa mite. The survey is aimed to understand beekeeping practise, colony losses and beekeeping ethics. Also beekeepers who failed in their attempt to work treatment-free are very welcome to participate. It is important that this data can be collected and compared”.

A copy of the survey can be downloaded here.

The survey is quite detailed, but your help will be appreciated by Thomas.

Deadline for the submission of the questionnaire is March 31. 2023.

The 2023 AGM is Fast Approaching (2 April 2023) & the Closing Date for TMB Nominations is 19 March 2023

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 10:23:01 GMT

This message is for Members of Newbattle Beekeepers Association only

Have you sent in your RSVP to advise if you will attend the AGM on 2 April 2023? The meeting will start at 13:00

All members were sent an announcement email on 28 February which contains three RSVP options

Yes - No - Maybe

Please click on one of the buttons to indicate your intention to attend or not. If you are unsure, click the Maybe button.

If you are intending to put yourself forward as a trustee for 2023 you only have 7 days to file your nomination paper. It requires three signatures, Your Proposer, Your Seconder and your own signature accepting the nomination

Download a Nomination Form from the 2023 AGM Page of the Website

Can you help Morgan Morrison, PhD student with her studies?

Sat, 11 Mar 2023 14:44:52 GMT

Are you interested in helping to save important flower visiting insects all from the comfort of your garden?

Morgan Morrison, is a PhD student at Royal Holloway, University of London. She is working on pollinator conservation and citizen intervention.

She is looking for participants for her citizen science study ‘Optimow’. As a member of Newbattle Beekeepers Association your interests and existing knowledge could make you a great participant for her study. Morgan is looking to explore the best way you can mow your lawn to make your gardens a better place for important pollinating insects. The study will take 15-20 minutes a week, all from your garden in May.

If you are interested in taking part you can sign up using the following link to the google form for more details and to register your interest?

https://forms.gle/mhySH8vQ5zqn9eSB7

Any questions don’t hesitate to drop Morgan an email.
Thanks in advance,
Morgan Morrison

Twitter: @morgsmorrison73

Email: morganmowing2023@gmail.com

Please note: This email has been created for the study and is not her academic email. If you're apprehensive to click unknown links please google 'mark brown lab optimow'. This will provide you with information.

Bumblebees Learn to Solve Puzzles by Watching Peers, Study Finds

Sat, 11 Mar 2023 14:30:52 GMT

Seen recently on the BBC News App

Simon the Beekeeper - Closing Down Sale - Website Closes Midday Friday 3 March

Tue, 28 Feb 2023 15:35:30 GMT

Take me to the Sale

Don't put your bees at risk - Register on BeeBASE

Tue, 28 Feb 2023 12:18:55 GMT

BeeBase is a FREE online service provided by the National Bee Unit to help protect you and your fellow beekeepers from colony threatening pests and diseases

Register Online today

Click Here to Register

The March 2023 Edition of BeeCraft Magazine is Out Now & Available to Read Online

Sat, 25 Feb 2023 13:30:17 GMT

Click Here to Read the March Edition

You Are What You Eat - A Blog Post (24 February) from David Evans (The Apiarist)

Sat, 25 Feb 2023 13:04:31 GMT

The Apiarist

You are what you eat

David

Feb 24

Synopsis : The science of identity ... how guard bees recognise nestmates, why drifting bees are accepted into other hives and why robbers are only sometimes rejected. Introduction Honey bees are eusocial insects. The ’eu’ before social is derived from the Greek for ‘good’; these insects - not just honey bees - exhibit the highest […]

Read more of this post

Comment

Read the Latest Blog Post from Steve Donohoe (The Walrus and the Honey Bee)

Tue, 21 Feb 2023 09:55:40 GMT

The Walrus and the Honey Bee

Spring Fever: Beekeeping Activities for the New Season

Walrus

Feb 20

I’m writing this on 19th February and my bees are based in Cheshire, UK, just south of Manchester. We have a mild climate, without extremes of cold in winter nor extremes of heat in summer, although that might be changing. I have snowdrops and crocuses in flower in my garden, and it won’t be long […]

Read more of this post

Comment

Read the Latest Blog Post from the Apiarist (David Evans)

Sat, 18 Feb 2023 14:33:14 GMT

The Apiarist

Good times ahead

David

Feb 17

Synopsis : The season is approaching, but it’s not here yet. Don’t be misled by social media. Do your preparations for the good times ahead and the reinforcements, revisions, reversals and revelations. Introduction Social media can be a bit of a curse for beekeepers - in particular new beekeepers - as we falteringly transition from […]

Read more of this post

Comment

Candipolline Gold - The Complete, Safe Feed for your Bees - Order Yours Now

Fri, 17 Feb 2023 15:30:00 GMT

Last chance to get some!

To make sure you get yours pop along to the online shop and place your order now

Take me to the Online Shop

Pick it up on Sunday 5 March

Scottish Beekeepers Association March Webinar - Lorraine Johnston SRUC Bee Advisor

Fri, 17 Feb 2023 10:14:58 GMT

SBA March Webinar - Wednesday 1 March, 19:30

Lorraine Johnston will be sharing her experiences and activities over the last year in her new role as the SRUC’s Bee Advisor and as part of the Scottish Government’s Bee Health team.

Lorraine will be a familiar face to many Scottish beekeepers, whether that’s as Chair of the South of Scotland Beekeepers’ Association, as the founder of Annan Academy’s Bee Club or at the many beekeeping events and local association talks across the country.

To book your free place please click on the link below

BOOK YOUR PLACE

Check out the Weather Forecast for Newbattle over the Weekend

Thu, 09 Feb 2023 19:07:01 GMT

Are you checking the weather forecast for Newbattle before you visit the Teaching Apiary?

Here is a link to our TEMPEST Weather Station where you can check the forecast for today and the next Nine days.

Take me to the Newbattle Tempest Weather Station

See below for the forecast for Saturday & Sunday

The Place to Bee in 23! - The BBKA Spring Convention - 21 - 23 April, 2023

Fri, 03 Feb 2023 18:07:04 GMT

When: Friday 21 - Saturday 22 - Sunday 23 April, 2023

Where: Harper Adams University, Shropshire, TF10 8NB

What: Lectures, Workshops and Seminars

Also

A Bumper Trade Show on Saturday 22 April

Bookings are Now Open - Find Out More

At:

The BBKA Spring Convention Information

12th International Meeting of Young Beekeepers - IMYB - Slovenia, 3rd - 7th July, 2023

Fri, 03 Feb 2023 17:52:46 GMT

The Scottish Beekeepers Association is looking for Young Beekeepers interested in becoming a member of Team Scotland 2023

Three Young Beekeepers (at least 12 but not yet 18) along with two adults will represent Scotland

Interested? or Any Question?

Please Contact

Bron Wright

Before 15 February, 2023

Do you want to Volunteer in the Honey Tent at the Royal Highland Show?

Fri, 03 Feb 2023 17:33:20 GMT

Needed - Thursday 22 to Sunday 25 June, 2023

To welcome visitors to the Honey Tent. With over 10,000 visitors per day is one of the most popular attractions at the show.

If you have been before please volunteer again, if not you will be more than welcome to get involved.

Interested?

I want to Volunteer

A Date for Your Diary - The Scottish Beekeepers Association Annual General Meeting - Saturday 29 April, 2023 , 11:00 - 16:00

Fri, 03 Feb 2023 14:01:39 GMT

The 2023 AGM will be held at the Loch Leven Community Campus, Kinross, KY13 8FQ on Saturday 29 April, 2023 from 11:00 to 16:00

Nominations are invited for the position of Trustee and must have a proposer and seconder.

If you are interested you can find out more on the Scottish Beekeepers Association website.

If you have any questions please contact Helen Nelson at:

Secretary, SBA

Scottish Beekeepers Association Workshops - March & April

Thu, 02 Feb 2023 20:35:59 GMT

MICROSCOPY WORKSHOP

The 2 day Microscopy Workshop this year will be held on the 11th and 12th of March at the University of Edinburgh Dick Vet School at Roslin, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, and in preparation for the Microscopy exam which will be held in the spring of next year.

To find out more about this workshop, the equipment options, costs and deadline for registering, please click on the link below or refer to the February Scottish Beekeeper magazine.

FIND OUT MORE

Wax Workshop

The 1 day Wax Workshop will be held this year on Saturday the 4th March from 10am at Portmoak Village Hall, Scotlandwell, Fife, KY13 9HY.

If you're keen to do more with your wax, then this workshop is definitely worth attending. During this practical course you will learn how to make candles, mould wax, create flower and fruit mouldings, build and wire foundation, and make wax wraps.

Please check availability first by contacting Alan Riach on 07702 436 612. Then book your place by clicking on the link below

BOOK YOUR PLACE

Skep Workshop

The ever popular Skep Workshop is going to be on Saturday the 15th April at Portmoak Village Hall, Scotlandwell, Fife, KY13 9HY.

On this one day practical course you will learn more about skep beekeeping and will be supplied with all the materials you need to be able to create your very own 'swarm collection quality' skep.

Places on this course are very limited (only 8 participants) so please contact Alan Riach first on 07702 436 612 to check if there's spaces left. If so, you can book your place via the link below

BOOK YOUR PLACE

The Beekeeping Show - Saturday 25 February - Telford International Centre

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 11:40:01 GMT

A New National Event on the UK Beekeeping Calendar

The Beekeeping Show is a brand-new, independent one-day trade show on the UK beekeeping calendar, established and organised by a team drawn from across the industry.

The aim is to stage a first-class not-to-be-missed annual event for visitors and exhibitors alike, specifically to:

interest beekeepers of all types, scales and experience
attract comprehensive representation of the UK manufacturers and suppliers
welcome the return of European suppliers to events here in the UK
develop the show into an internationally recognised trade event with exhibitors drawn from around the globe.

The inaugural show will take place on Saturday 25 February 2023.

Telford International Centre has been selected as the venue for the show. This purpose-constructed exhibition centre provides high-standard space and facilities, quality catering, plentiful on-site parking (free to show visitors) and several hotels providing accommodation for all budgets.

The venue’s central location is easily accessible from all parts of the UK. By vehicle, it is just a couple of minutes off the national motorway network. A nearby rail link offers a sustainable public transport option. For those travelling by air from further afield, the venue is in easy reach of Birmingham International Airport.

Don't put your bees at risk - Register on BeeBase

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 10:33:34 GMT

BBKA News - The Newsletter of the British Beekeepers' Association

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 10:17:39 GMT

We now have copies of the BBKA News in the library. The February 2023 issue has just arrived.

The magazine incorporated the BBJ - (The British Bee Journal)

The feature articles in the February issue:

Drone-laying Queens - Varroa and DWV Control - Aggressive Bees?

Scottish Beekeepers Association Module Exams - Registration Deadline 10 February 23

Sat, 28 Jan 2023 12:47:47 GMT

Module Exams

The next diet of Scottish Beekeepers Association module exams is Saturday 18th of March, but registration for these exams closes on the 10th of February.

Please don't let the word Exam put you off! There is tremendous satisfaction in unearthing new facts when preparing for these exams. And you're adding to your honeybee and beekeeping knowledge, which can only be a good thing.

So go on, think about it and enjoy expanding your knowledge.

To register or find out more please click here.

Michaela is selling Two Hive stands

Sat, 21 Jan 2023 19:38:42 GMT

Check out the For Sale & Wanted page on the website for more details. There is a photograph and a link for you to contact Michaela directly.

Take Me to the For Sale & Wanted Page

US approves world’s first vaccine for declining honey bees (Find out more on the BBC News App)

Tue, 10 Jan 2023 10:36:30 GMT

The vaccine targets a disease known to weaken colonies by attacking bee larvae. (American Foul Brood)

BBC News App

Click on the link to find out more.

Ideas for the 2022 Honey & Craft Show - Please Give Us Your Feedback

Fri, 30 Sep 2022 15:32:53 GMT

Plans are underway for the 2022 Honey and Craft Show scheduled for 3 & 4 December this year.

Your ideas for additions and improvements are welcome. The Support Subgroup will meet on 11 October to progress plans. Please give us your ideas by posting to this "Blog" before the meeting. Any & all ideas will be considered.

Edgehead Village Day - Saturday 20 August.

Sun, 21 Aug 2022 10:33:38 GMT

I think it is safe to say that our visit to the Edgehead Village Day yesterday afternoon was successful in allowing us to promote bee conservation along with the art and craft of beekeeping, raise our profile in the area and generate income for the association.

Our stall was "buzzing" throughout the afternoon with the observation hive and honey tasting drawing visitors in. Young and old alike were fascinated with the bees in the observation hive and many questions were asked by our visitors and answered by the NBA team at the event. (Martin V, Rosemary M, Helen N, Tim P, Annette E and ME) Three types of honey were on offer for our visitors to taste and the Newbattle honey was a very useful point of sale promotional tool.

Lorraine A and Ewan M helped behind the scenes, thank you both.

Our sales during the afternoon were steady throughout, and we ended the day with a total of £455.20.

Thank you one and all.

Weather Forecast for Newbattle - Saturday 18 June

Sun, 12 Jun 2022 08:30:45 GMT

The Scottish Beekeepers Association Beginner Beekeeper Examinations are scheduled for Saturday 18 June at the Newbattle Teaching Apiary.

What is the Weather Forecast for Saturday?

Keep an eye on the forecast

Here

First Case of AFB - This Year

Fri, 20 May 2022 16:09:17 GMT

The first case of American Foul Brood (AFB) has been confirmed in a single hive in Blairgowrie, Perthshire. It was identified by a bee inspector and was confirmed by SASA on 19 May.

Read the Government Press Release Here for more details

There is No Risk to public health

World Bee Day - Friday 20 May - Bee With Us, Save the Bees

Sun, 01 May 2022 07:56:43 GMT

May 20th marks an important day for global bee populations – World Bee Day. Check out how you can bee a champion and help raise awareness over at:

BEe With Us - Save the Bees

ROYAL HIGHLAND SHOW COMPETITIONS - Entries Close Sunday 22 May

Mon, 04 Apr 2022 13:24:21 GMT

The Scottish Beekeepers Association are delighted to be planning for the Honey Tent at this year's Royal Highland Show, and the tent wouldn't be the same without all the wonderful competition entries on display. The schedule is now available for all the competition classes, to download and circulate click here. And with everything from novice classes, honey, beeswax, crafts, baking, photography, skeps to young beekeepers' classes there's a competition to suit everyone. They are looking forward to seeing entries from all across Scotland, so please do have a go.
For all the entry requirements and registration, please use the link below
Royal Highland Show Competition Entry
Closing date for online entries is Sunday 22nd of May

Work Day at the Newbattle Apiary on Saturday 2 April - Busy & Productive

Sat, 02 Apr 2022 19:44:30 GMT

A very busy and productive day at the Newbattle Teaching Apiary today. A coat of forest green paint on the garden gate, shed, picnic table and several hive stands. Steam cleaning wooden hive parts and a good start made in the apiary on preparing the ground for planting a cover crop.

Not forgetting refreshments as and when required!

A BIG

to all who came along to help.

8 x 10 Apex Shed for Sale - SOLD

Mon, 28 Mar 2022 09:26:20 GMT

The 8 x 10 Apex shed at Vogrie out apiary is now surplus to requirements.

Take a look at the shed on our For Sale and Wanted page HERE

Interested? Contact Martin Vevers HERE to discuss.

2022 AGM set for Sunday 10 April starting at 13:00 in the Bee Academy - Bee There!

Thu, 10 Mar 2022 21:02:48 GMT

The date for the 2022 AGM has been set for Sunday 10 April. The meeting will start at 13:00. Light refreshments and Networking to follow.

Access the Agenda and other meeting documents

Here

The Bee Academy Library was Busy on Sunday

Tue, 15 Feb 2022 14:56:34 GMT

It was a busy day in the library on Sunday 13 February when the Bee Academy was open to those wishing to visit the library. Books were returned and borrowed by members calling by between 11:30 and 14:30. Two of our newer members visited the Bee Academy for the first time and brought their families with them! Hot drinks and carrot cake were on offer.

The library will open again during the Workshop planned for Sunday 20 February. View the library online catalogue and reserve your books before you visit.

Select and Order Your Books Here

Happy New Year from the Walrus (aka Steve Donohoe)

Sun, 02 Jan 2022 18:49:55 GMT

The link below will take you to the first blog post of 2022 posted by Steve:

First Blog Post of 2022 - The Walrus

It makes reference to a video "New tools to help honey bees fight varroa mite" from Dr. Kaira Wagoner talking about research into the Unhealthy Brood Odour (UBO) assay. It looks like a very promising way to assess colonies that are likely to manage mites and diseases better than others

Special Edition Charity Honey Now Available to Click & Collect - Proceeds from Sales to Support Two Charities - SOLD OUT!

Sun, 19 Dec 2021 16:46:55 GMT

In a bee colony all worker bees spend time in caring for others in the colony and for us this is the time of year we should be emulating our bees.

Why not make a caring contribution by making a purchase of our "Special Edition Honey"? The proceeds from your purchase will be donated to two charities to support the work they do throughout the year. One is local, the other international.

Storehouse is a local charity organised by The Full Gospel Church. It aims to provide essential supplies to families in crisis in the Dalkeith area. Regular, ongoing donations of food, as well as essential household supplies meet the immediate needs of those in crisis.

Bees for Development, Ghana, organise "Buzz Clubs" in schools to give young people a chance to learn the practical skills of beekeeping and support their learning about biology and the environment. Plus it is fun and exciting! Not only that but the beekeeping clubs also sell honey, earning money which is used to buy educational items for the school. As a result of being members of a school Buzz Club, pupils have taken their beekeeping skills back to their parents and neighbours who are eager to learn from the children.

The number of jars of this Special Edition honey is limited so visit the online shop now and make sure that you are able to show that you care.

Buy Your Special Edition Honey and make your Caring Contribution

Here

Good Luck to all Newbattle Beekeepers Association Members sitting Module Exams on Saturday

Fri, 12 Nov 2021 21:22:24 GMT

Good Luck to all our members sitting module exams both online and at the Bee Academy on Saturday 13 November.

The Bee Academy - Pop-Up Shop Saturday 20 & Sunday 21 November - Save the Dates

Wed, 10 Nov 2021 20:06:09 GMT

Workday at the Newbattle Apiary & Cottage - Thank You To All Who Came Along

Sun, 07 Nov 2021 18:46:53 GMT

A very busy and productive morning at the Newbattle Apiary this morning with big inroads into the equipment cleaning and garden tidy up. The work was followed by a bite to eat and much beekeeping chat. A big tank you to all involved.

Asian Hornets Discovered in Portsmouth

Fri, 05 Nov 2021 19:09:09 GMT