Late Friday afternoon a light drizzle started, would it mean no inspection of my colony by Mike and Sue who were due at 7pm.Well the inspection went ahead care of a large umbrella, (thanks Joe).
It didn't start to well, lucky it wasn't a test! Couldn't get the smoker lit, lighter ran out of fuel and then matches got blown out by wind, got there in the end, phew.
They were immediately impressed with the temperament of the bees, very calm, just as well with me looking after them!
Went quickly through the frames looking for the Queens, soon found the new Queen, but no sign of the old marked Queen, felt a bit happier that I wasn't seeing things and that what I had seen was a new Queen.
They thought the colony looked well, plenty of larvae, brood and honey stores, the new Queen has been busy.
I'm told that I am very lucky to have a colony and Queen like this, it is called supercedure and does happen too often, the old Queen usually swarms. This indicates that my new Queen is likely to be of a low swarming nature, a very valuable trait.
Inspection followed by a glass of wine and some bee chat.
Thanks for popping round Mike and Sue
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