Dear Editor,
I am thrilled to share our recent experience related to the often elusive honey bee, which has been of great interest in your columns dated July 6th and 9th. Just yesterday, during some maintenance work in our backyard, we chanced upon a newly-formed bee colony perched on the branch of an apple tree. The group was approximately equal in size to a size four football, emanating a low, melodious hum and a slight warmth.
Thanks to our neighbourly beekeeper, Philip, we managed to safely transfer most of the resting swarm into an empty hive that he kindly supplied. As of our initial inspection earlier today, the colony appears to be flourishing, with bees actively flitting to and fro on their collection duties. We’re holding out hope of securing some honey for the cold winter months.
Kind regards,
Kathleen and Michael Gleeson
Moreover, it’s worth noting that climate significantly influences bee behaviour. They usually forage when temperatures hover around 15 degrees Celsius. Given the colder conditions in June, flower bloom was limited which further hampered bee visibility and activity. This would inevitably lead to a slump in honey production and winter reserves. However, a couple of months of warmth could potentially still rectify the situation.
Hence, I encourage everyone to plant bee-friendly flora and allow your gardens to grow naturally. The local wildlife and the hum of bees will more than make up for any encountering any disgruntled neighbours.
Best wishes,
Tomás Finn.