A dramatic season last year. There was 6 colonies cohabiting with V. Crabro and a further 4 within meters of nests. Some perished. Many ceased activity all together, like this one. A defensive trait?? Checks on 40+ empty and dead nest sites show no sign of scout activity….yet!

Habitat Hive/Log Winter Loss 2023/2024 This winter 91% survived (10/11). A three winter average of 91%. Interestingly 7 of the 11 have survived 3 winters continuously and are still active and vibrant. Forest colonies appear to fare better in the adapted ‘hives’

Note - Obviously colony/nest numbers have increased as I have found them over a 4yr period. There is a large element nest development, loss, damage involved. These colonies are subject to natural selection, pathogen and forage competition. Established colonies are now evident.

Forest Colony Winter Survival for 2023/24 is 81% That’s a four winter average of 81.4% 6 colonies have survived four winters and a further 10 colonies have passed their third winter.

The skeletal remains of a hornets nest, decaying sullenly 20ft from a honey bee colony. I was sure the bees would perish during winter from the Hornet pressure but they’re going strong 🐝

This branch had fallen from an old Oak tree. Zoom in and you will see the remains of a mud wall built by a Nuthatch during its occupancy

If you want to learn a little more about how those of us in conservation track and locate free living honey bee colonies, this event may be of interest to you. Please register and join us as we discuss the finer points of how we do what we do 🐝

A link to recorded talks. Hopefully this latest one will be added soon

A great night presenting on the topic of Honey Bee hunting with Chiara Binetti, Lucas Taminem, Benjamin Rutschmann, Tom Seeley and Michael Thiele. Our part was Environmental and Ecological indicators to find nest sites. Very interesting research on the use of water foragers 🐝

When the cavity is too small for a colony…….or the colony too prolific for the cavity?

Bees from the trees go into deep freeze! 🐝 Thanks to @UniNorthants for aiding our researchers in preserving wild honeybee samples for vital DNA analysis. A buzzing step towards sustainable beekeeping! Read more: https://t.co/UT6Wod7uy6 #UniversityOfGalway #SDGsIRL

Bees from the trees have gone into deep freeze thanks to @UON_Science. Academics were "buzzing with delight" to lend a helping hand to @Galwayhbrc researchers. 🐝 https://t.co/3Hv1vhzICT #bee #bees #honeybee #honeybees #pollinators #research #environment #ecology

It’s been a difficult season for the free living colonies. On top of cold and a long summer nectar dearth, there has been severe hornet pressure. In spring I saw Queen hornets trying to enter cavities inhabited by honeybees and in some cases they’re still cohabiting

Hosted 2 scientists from Galway, over here to research traits and genetics of local free living bees, led by @BehcHoneybee Joe. Samples to helpful scientists at @UniNorthants for preservation before onward to Galway. Learnt loads! Hope it'll inform more sustainable beekeeping.

Honeybees often build from the ground up too. Whatever is most efficient depending of the location of the brood nest and entrance shape 🐝

It’s not until you add a flash to the camera you see the real situation. Propolis walls etc often built further into the cavity, sometimes mid cavity far away from the entrance

Had an amazing week working with two scientists from Galway Honey Bee Research Centre - Chiara Binetti and Eoin MacLoughlin @uniofgalway The scientific community pulling together with @UniNorthants aiding us in preparing samples for analysis. A big thank you to them 🙏🏻

Three Honey Bee nest sites observed this past week cohabiting with European Hornets. This being the lowest one. Incredible numbers of hornets and nest sites. A knock on effect of last years hot summer??

4 new nest sites found in recent weeks and three cavities filled which I’d been watching; numerous occupied by hornets and birds. Few wasps. This year has really expressed the cyclical nature of cavity occupation and the annual change of dominance between competing species