Monday 14 April 2014

The Wonder of Bees with Martha Kearney

Tonight starting on BBC FOUR is a 4 part series I think you all might 'bee' interested in.

The Wonder of Bees with Martha Kearney

the bees didn't read that book!!
Who says bees only build down???
BBC Four, 8:00pm.

Martha Kearney's year gets off to a bad start when unseasonal snow in spring threatens to kill the bee colonies she keeps in her garden in Suffolk. With help from a master beekeeper Martha feeds her bees and takes one of the hives to a wildflower meadow at a neighbour's house along with two brand new hives.

She discovers the intricate hierarchy within the bee colony and learns how the organisation of the hive has become a metaphor for human society. At a London school she learns the secrets of urban bees' success even while bees in the country as a whole are in decline. The episode ends with three new hives established on a wildflower meadow, ready to start producing classic British wildflower honey

To learn more , have a sneak peak or find it on the iplayer just go here where you will also find a link to BBC Nature; Bees that is really interesting too.

20 comments:

  1. It looks so interesting to raise honeybees in our garden

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    1. It is really interesting, I am surprised how much there is to learn from the bees. They are truly amazing creatures.

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  2. Bee life is utterly fascinating and people who tend to bees lead a more interesting life-very cool. Thanks for sharing.

    Velva

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    1. I will be sharing my experiences...especially over this first ear Velva!! Feel free to check out Grantham Beekeepers too where I am writing things not only of my own but also sharing other local bee keepers antics too.

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  3. Dear Tanya, I don't get that station here, though it is a miracle looking at the honey comb of how honey is produced; simply amazing.
    Blessings dear. Catherine xo

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    1. Such a shame you can't watch the programme Catherine. The above picture was taken of a friends hive after he didn't remove the feeder in time...bees will build wherever they can find the space!!

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  4. sounds like it was interesting

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  5. I saw your post too late, I'm trying to play catch up. I hope you enjoyed it though. xx

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    1. I'm always playing catch up Joanne, thank goodness for catch up TV..lol

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  6. I didn't see this programme. I hope you enjoyed it, I bet it was interesting with having bees yourself.

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    1. It has been really interesting Jo and I amazes myself as problems were encountered and my eldest Nephew was asking me questions about them which I answered correctly. Guess I learnt and retained on that course last year!!

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  7. I hope that one of these days this program makes its way over here. It looks interesting. Some of them get here and some don't. I can at least explore the website a little bit. I love the BBC Nature stuff I've seen.

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    1. The BBC really do some fantastic nature programmes and this one is no exception Ratty so I really do hope you get the chance to watch it.

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  8. Dear Tanya, People truly learn so much from observing the animal kingdom.
    Have a beautiful and blessed Easter holiday. Hugs, Catherine xo

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    1. I think we can learn so much if we just take that little bit of extra time to observe.

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  9. Watched this and thought of your exploits. Never knew the queen was just a tiny bit bigger than all the rest. Had an idea she was massive and wingless, Ho hum. Martha did a great job.

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    1. The queen is about twice the size as the other bees in reality Mal. Martha did do well. If the queen was wingless then how would she fly to mate?? and how would we get new colonies and swarms?? Having said that some bee keepers do clip the wings of the queen in the hopes it will prevent them swarming.

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  10. mutilating the queen has no justification and is banned by EU directive on organic beekeeping.

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    1. I have to say it isn't someting I would do bil...but I do know that there are still people who do it!!

      Thanks for visiting and commenting.

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keep it clean...keep it relevant...I look forward to reading your comments!!