Hey there I live in Connecticut and we have been experiencing an early spring, also we had a very mild winter and there wasn't a lot of rain either. How will this affect bees and beekeeping this season?
I was wondering the same thing,usually an early mild spring is great for the colonies. BUT this year in my area(western NY state)we have broken almost every record there is for warm(no make that HOT) days in March.We have experienced many days in the 80's,when the norm is the low 40's.For now it appears to have had a positive impact on the bees,because red maple,willow, and the woodland flowers are all in bloom 5 weeks earlier than usual.Will this lead to a dearth of nectar and pollen sources in the upcoming months,when these plants are typically in bloom? In all my years I have not seen spring as warm as this,we will have to wait and see.
Quote from: dronedave22 on March 23, 2012, 09:46:13 PM
Hey there I live in Connecticut and we have been experiencing an early spring, also we had a very mild winter and there wasn't a lot of rain either. How will this affect bees and beekeeping this season?
No one know ...............Way and see we may bee feeding in June.
BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)
really hard to say. If it snaps back to normal then it could be hard on the bees I think up your way. Down where I am everything is just happening way earlier than normal and looking at the forcast by the time temps get to normal for the time of year 70's will be the norm anyway. I think you need to keep a close eye on them because the flow could come earlier than normal. I never dreamed I could have a swarm this early but they sure did.
I noticed here dogwoods and willows and goldenrod flowering already along with other flowers I have seen, but already this weekend it had gotten a little on the cold side again. I can't see that being good, almost like a tease for the bees to start their season then if there is a cold snap that would probably be very negative and put a monkey wrench in the bees and beekeeper's plans?
Getting cold again here in Vermont. Gonna leave the bees alone till this cold snap of a week or two is past us.