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Tuesday 23rd April 2024 7.00pm - 9.00pm
The BBKA are pleased to invite members to attend a BBKA zoom event on swarming.
Confirmed speakers are:
Jane Medwell, BBKA Trustee: Essentials of Swarm Control
Ian Campbell, BBKA Social Media Manager: The Social Media Side of Swarming
Tim Wylie, the apiarist atelier: Feral bee colonies in buildings – the issues, the challenges and the consequences
The speakers will take questions at the end of each session.
A recording will be available after the event.
Here is the Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84137025876?pwd=9XXuM3WKHRHoXO01MhEQMrwgHqYxxq.1
In the event that the zoom limit for this meeting is met, the event will also be streamed live on YouTube. The link to access YouTube will be available here on the day.
View on YouTube::
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0fuv2ZsnD0
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Media Support and Tips for AHAT Teams, Tuesday 30th April 2024, 6.00pm
Kirsteen Thorne, BBKA Outreach Officer, will give advice and guidance for AHAT Teams on how to engage with the media and make the most of interview opportunities with regard to Asian hornet awareness.
Areas covered include:
What makes a good story
How to pitch a story and who to approach
Differences between local and national media - how to engage accordingly, and how interview style and length may differ
Making the most of the time you're given
Understanding the audience and getting your message across effectively
Interview tips and techniques
Trouble shooting - tackling concerns and queries about what to expect and how to manage challenging situations
Here is the Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84137025876?pwd=9XXuM3WKHRHoXO01MhEQMrwgHqYxxq.1
In the event that the zoom limit for this meeting is met, the event will also be streamed live on YouTube.
Asian...
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Asian Hornet presentations by Andrew Durham:
Asian Hornet The Beekeepers' Guide - Integrated Control in the Apiary Asian Hornet Beekeepers Guide - The Hornet & The Honey Bee Asian Hornet Beekeepers Guide - Integrated Control in the Area Around the Apiary Asian Hornet Beekeepers Guide - The Electric Harp plus Additional Information
Asian Hornet Special Briefing for Beekeepers September 2023 Part 1
Asian Hornet Special Briefing for Beekeepers September 2023 Part 2
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In 2024 all member Associations and Branches have been given the opportunity to plant sesquicentennial trees in their apiaries, funded by the BBKA as part of the 150 year celebrations. Honey bees, bumblebees and many other species depend on trees for food, and the BBKA trees will last well into the future - even another 150 years!
Selby Beekeepers' Association purchased a wild cherry tree to mark 150 years of the BBKA. The tree has been planted in Selby Cemetery within 100 yards of their association apiary. They even had attendance from the Town Mayor!
Bristol Beekeepers Branch Committee beside the Hawthorn tree planted at their apiary to celebrate 150 years of BBKA. It is a bee friendly Spring flowering tree so they hope to help the bees through the Spring. They plan to add a plaque later in the year.
Northamptonshire Beekeepers Association planted two 'Tillia Cordata' trees in their Association Apiary in March.&...
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Halfway between a tea loaf and soda bread, this anytime treat suits a chilly April morning or a warm spring afternoon. Aside from soaking the fruit overnight, you can throw this together in a matter of minutes and the loaf will keep well for several days. It’s also excellent toasted and spread liberally with butter. Earl Grey tea lends a citrussy note, but you can use your usual favourite tea, just be sure to make a strong tea liquor. If you’re not using Earl Grey tea, adding the zest of half a lemon or orange tastes great too, though too much will overpower the delicate tea and honey flavours. April 21 is National Tea Day; what better reason to get baking and enjoy a slice with a cup of tea!
Makes about 10 - 12 servings. Hands on time: 20 minutes Total time: 1 hour 40 minutes + overnight soaking
Ingredients
550ml Strong Earl Grey tea 400g ...
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Ian Campbell, Newcastle & District BKA and BBKA Social Media Manager
Evenings are getting longer and another season is underway, but the weather can be very variable this month. The dilemma of disturbing colonies too early in a cold spring versus finding them overcrowded and making swarm preparations in a warm year will continue to vex us all. Your local conditions will affect your decisions so be cautious of advice from those in other areas of the country.
Inspections
Always inspect for a reason. Choose warm, sunny, still days (~12°C as a minimum) to do inspections. You’re looking for evidence of a queen laying well; eggs, larvae and sealed worker brood in a ratio of around 1:2:4 is reassuring.
Equipment
Be prepared! This is your last real chance to get ready for the busy times. Make up new frames and try to remember where the bits of kit you haven’t seen for a year are hidden.
Check for signs of pests or disease....
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In summer we get many calls and questions from people with bees in their houses, outbuildings and gardens.
There are over 250 types of bees in the UK but there is only one european honey bee (Apis mellifera). As well as honey bees there are around 24 species of bumblebee and over 240 species of solitary bee in the UK. Please see below to help identify what type of bee you have and who to approach for help and information.
If you have honey bees in the structure of your property Click here.
If you feel you need to have the bees destroyed please contact a local reputable pest control company. Bees are endangered but they are not protected. Click here for the link to the Health & Safety Executive guide to Honey bees and biocides:
Our volunteers beekeepers can only assist in cases of swarms OF HONEY BEES.
See our page of photos of honeybee swarms
To Jump straight to the Swarm map click here
To support the work of the BBKA pl...
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It is crucial that any possible sightings are reported so experts can take quick and effective action to eradicate Asian Hornets. The best way is to use the 'Asian Hornet Watch' app to record and report any sightings. The app is available for both Apple and Android devices. Photos and videos can also be sent by email to: alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk This incursion map will update with any further sightings of Asian Hornets and includes sightings in the UK since 2016
If you click on the logo on the map then you can select each year as required. This allows you to view just the current year or to also have previous years sighting's of Asian hornets showing.
2024 Sightings:
13th April: Single hornet caught in trap near Four Oaks, Kent approximately 3km from the nest found in 2023. The NBU will continue to monitor the area. Credible report of a single Asian Hornet sighted on a ferry between St Malo and Portsmouth.
11th April: Credible re...
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Useful documents for Asian Hornet Teams:
Asian Hornet Risk Assessment
Protocol for Spring Trapping of AH Queens
Protocol for Asian Hornet Monitoring Traps
BBKA Insurance FAQs
'Asian Hornet Monitoring & Trapping' Guidance leaflet written for the BBKA by Alan Baxter, Sarah Bunker and Chloe Underwood
PDF File
'How to Track Asian Hornets' Instruction leaflet written for the BBKA by Sarah Bunker
PDF File
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A selection of images which can be used on social media.
Hover over any image, right click and choose 'save as'.
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