A Buzzing session on OurCoop Bees 'Live at the Hive'
Recently I joined an online session 'Live at the Hive' from OurCoop support centre in Warwick. The session hosted by colleague beekeeper Lee and supported by colleagues Gaz and Magda gave an amazing insight into the colonies of bees that live at the grounds in Warwick.
Lee started by explaining that the site has four hives contains around 20-30 thousand bees in each hive. Lee then showed us the hive compartments. the hive contained two Honey boxes and one Brood box. The Brood box has a special lid that keeps the Queen bee in this space and gives her the space to lay eggs, think of it like a nursery! The queen can lay up to 2000 eggs a day. This space allows the worker bees to feed the 'brood' in this box before they grow and become fully grown bees. The special top layer of the 'brood' box keeps the queen in this space, so she doesn't lay eggs in the top honey boxes.
Pictures of the hive compartments
Lee then was able to show us a hatching bee from the brood part of the hive and was able to locate the Queen bee which can be seen by its pink dot on her body
Lee then explained how we can all do our bit to protect bees and how important they are for pollination and food production. Lee spoke about 'No Mow May' and how those dandelions and 'Weeds' in your garden are the first food for bees early in the year and are needed to ensure that hives grow in the early stages.
An amazing time was spent learning about OurCoop bees at Warwick and it has certainly sparked a fire in myself for supporting bees and hopefully getting involved in the Society hives in a bigger way.
Lee then was able to take questions. I asked him how long he has been involved and what made him get started. It was great to hear how Lee got involved in the bees through an ex-colleague and how the hives were installed and have grown to four at the Warwick offices. Lee also was talking about getting a hive/hives at our Lichfield Support Centre in the coming weeks, I of course have thrown my hat in the ring to support this. Once this happens, I will write blogs about the new hives in Lichfield... Watch this space!!
For more information and to view the session please go to https://youtu.be/lKwgqU3B5ko