The Wonder of Bees with Martha Kearney
Who says bees only build down??? |
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.
It looks so interesting to raise honeybees in our garden
ReplyDeleteIt is really interesting, I am surprised how much there is to learn from the bees. They are truly amazing creatures.
DeleteBee life is utterly fascinating and people who tend to bees lead a more interesting life-very cool. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteVelva
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.
DeleteDear 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.
ReplyDeleteBlessings dear. Catherine xo
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!!
Deletesounds like it was interesting
ReplyDeleteSo far it's been very good Ann.
DeleteI saw your post too late, I'm trying to play catch up. I hope you enjoyed it though. xx
ReplyDeleteI'm always playing catch up Joanne, thank goodness for catch up TV..lol
DeleteI didn't see this programme. I hope you enjoyed it, I bet it was interesting with having bees yourself.
ReplyDeleteIt 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!!
DeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteThe 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.
DeleteDear Tanya, People truly learn so much from observing the animal kingdom.
ReplyDeleteHave a beautiful and blessed Easter holiday. Hugs, Catherine xo
I think we can learn so much if we just take that little bit of extra time to observe.
DeleteWatched 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.
ReplyDeleteThe 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.
Deletemutilating the queen has no justification and is banned by EU directive on organic beekeeping.
ReplyDeleteI have to say it isn't someting I would do bil...but I do know that there are still people who do it!!
DeleteThanks for visiting and commenting.