BEE BULLETINS

photos: Near Guelph Ontario on April 11th, 2009, a sunny +7°C noon.

April 11th was one of the first sunny days of Spring. Some bees were foraging for nectar and pollen.

photo: Honey bees foraging on Siberian squill (Scilla siberica).

photo: Honey bees foraging on orange crocuses (Crocus spp.).

photo: Honey bees foraging on orange crocuses (Crocus spp.).

photo: Honey bees foraging on striped squill (Puskinia spp.).

photos: Near Guelph Ontario on February 8th, 2009; a sunny +1°C noon.

Spring dwindling is common, especially during periods of severe winter and extended spring. Older bees at the entrance of the hive are warmed by the sun, fly out, and are overcome by age, wind, and/or cold.

Spring dwindling is not to be confused with “Colony Collapse Disorder” or population dwindling caused by varroa mites.

photo: Over-wintering hives with dead bees in front.

photo: Dead bees in snow.

One of the most reported facts about honey bees:

One mouthful in three of the foods you eat directly or indirectly depends on pollination by honey bees.

This quote comes from a 2004 United States Department of Agriculture Report on honey bee benefits to agriculture and is referenced on countless honey bee-related web sites and news bulletins.

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Another commonly reported fact is that around the world we are experiencing decreasing honey bee populations:

Canada: Where have the bees gone? (Thanks Gary for posting this to our facebook site.)

New Zealand: Bee alert and alarmed

UK: Battle to save the honey bee

The solution?

Keep bees.

Plant nectar and pollen producing plants.

Support local beekeepers.