In most years March is another month of winter for the bees. Occasionally, an unusual stretch of of mild weather will occur and bring on the earliest of bloom (food) for the overwintering colonies. Red and Silver maples, along with pollen from Alder and a few Elms may usher in a new season. First pollen this year happened on April 4th and really poured in on the the 5th. This is significant because three weeks later new, bees begin emerging to replace the slowly diminishing “winter” bees. At this time of year I start to narrow down the possible colonies with queens considered to be breeders for this years crop of bees.
A good crop of well raised nucs (small independent colony) and queens are very valuable. Equal to or better than a big honey crop in some years. Work progresses slowly in April, unwrapping colonies, cleaning frames from dead colonies, moving equipment to where it is most convenient , and getting bear fences back in place. At first glance it seems a disappointment to find colony that ‘didn’t winter’. But that equipment is very valuable in the making new colonies from the best of the surviving colonies of well adapted bees. These will be colonies headed by two year old queens who’s offspring made a good crop of honey last year. Some years are better than others, but even losing half your bees allows you ‘split’ the surviving colonies and filling the empty equipment.
There are many ways to accomplish this (more on this next time). It is now early May and a succession of spring blooming plants have been offering forage to the bees on those days when the weather would permit it. An ideal spring day for a bee is in the mid to high fifties with lots of sunshine and a gentle breeze. We got a few of those this year allowing the bees to gather food from some early bloomers including the above mentioned Maples, but also the Box Elder and Willow. Dandelions are beginning to appear now and they will soon be followed by an abundance of many other blooms including the small bush and tree fruits as well as with a few spring wildflowers.