Comments: 4 days gone, 3 to go

@Mr BW: Aim for a bird-of-paradise look.

Posted by Tim W on 23 February, 2021 at 7:44 AM

Seems to have been a bad year for bees.....the guy who has two hives on our land says he's lost more than halve of his this winter (happily not either of the ones on our land).

Posted by NiC on 23 February, 2021 at 11:16 AM

Tim - I think that the last one has morphed into that style now.

Nic - thanks, that is encouraging to know. We have been very lucky in recent years when others locally have lost most of their colonies, but it's not knowing why the 'luck' has run out this year that is so frustrating.

The only thing we did differently was to feed fondant rather than thick syrup as a back-up feed in the autumn as we weren't able to be South to oversee the latter on a daily basis. We think that the unused fondant (they had plenty of their own stores and probably didn't need it, but, better to over-feed in autumn than have to emergency spring feed when they have run out and are struggling and dwindling, plus, we had no idea when we would be able to get back down here, so we had little choice) may be what attracted the (very) late wasps. I'm not sure we will ever feed fondant again. We will have to ask those who usually lose lots what they feed and when.

Posted by Blue Witch on 23 February, 2021 at 2:15 PM

I'm actually thinking along the lines of Stipa Tenuissima for my next attempt. I even have a small hedge cutter to give it the genuine feel.

Perhaps we should have a referendum, they generally result in a clear decision...

Posted by mr bw on 23 February, 2021 at 7:27 PM

I saw what he did to a miscanthus today. After that I think I might try cutting it myself...

Posted by Blue Witch on 23 February, 2021 at 7:31 PM

@Tim W - Excellent suggestion. Bird bird-of-paradise (so many choices!) or plant bird-of-paradise? Either way, I think colour is key.

BW and Mr BW - go for it!

Posted by Sue on 24 February, 2021 at 10:38 AM

Thinking about your shipping container solution, do they come in different sizes, perhaps two or three smaller containers? Looking at the property market and you are right to have concerns as at some point in the next twelve to eighteen months it is likely to collapse.

I found this chap and have followed him for a while now, not 100% accurate but useful. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJeuQfsKjBc&t=665s

Sad news about the bees, we need as many as possible.

Posted by delcatto on 25 February, 2021 at 10:24 AM

delcatto - shipping containers are all the same height (which is the problem), but 1/3, 1/2 or 1 sizes. But, Mr BW emailed Not-An-Architect today, and his ideas apparently do not include building on the part where we might just be able to fit one. Hopefully.

I think that the property maket here might hold up reasonably well as there is now gigabyte broadband available for WFH, and it's very convenient for London. But, we will see... and I am fully expecting a property crash elsewhere (particularly London), and huge inflation/influx of escapees in Numberland.

Posted by Blue Witch on 25 February, 2021 at 6:00 PM