bees can fly sideways to fit through tight gaps

Read more: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2260571-bumblebees-can-fly-sideways-to-fit-through-tight-gaps/

When  Jessye Norman was attempting and failing to squeeze through a narrow doorway, a bystander helpfully suggested, "Try sideways," to which she is alleged to have replied, "Honey, I ain't got no sideways!" (Ms Norman sued for libel, unsuccessfully, twice, about the reported remark.) 

Researchers create first map of bee species around the globe

Nice article here: https://phys.org/news/2020-11-bee-species-globe.html  

The bee species Amegilla andrewsi, one of 20,000 species worldwide. Credit: Zestin Soh

Waxing Lyrical with Joyce Nisbet

Waxing Lyrical, Joyce Nisbet,  BBKA, 14th December 2020 7.30pm Joyce will describe some of the techniques that can be used to produce candles and other attractive beeswax items, whether for showing or as gifts.   Having started beekeeping in 1990, Joyce is now a Master Beekeeper, BBKA Honey Judge, BBKA Trustee and Chair of the BBKA Spring Convention Committee.  After being impressed by high-quality wax exhibits in Honey Shows, Joyce improved her wax preparation skills by attending lectures and workshops on the topic.  This then led to her being involved in creating wax items for displays by North Shropshire Beekeepers at the National Honey Show.  {Please note in order to attend you will need to register via the Zoom registration link you will receive in your email once you have 'checked out' at the shop} These talks are free but we would welcome a donation to one of our appeals Save the Bees or Apiary and Education

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Waxing Lyrical with Joyce Nisbet

Waxing Lyrical, Joyce Nisbet,  BBKA, 14th December 2020 7.30pm Joyce will describe some of the techniques that can be used to produce candles and other attractive beeswax items, whether for showing or as gifts.   Having started beekeeping in 1990, Joyce is now a Master Beekeeper, BBKA Honey Judge, BBKA Trustee and Chair of the BBKA Spring Convention Committee.  After being impressed by high-quality wax exhibits in Honey Shows, Joyce improved her wax preparation skills by attending lectures and workshops on the topic.  This then led to her being involved in creating wax items for displays by North Shropshire Beekeepers at the National Honey Show.  {Please note in order to attend you will need to register via the Zoom registration link you will receive in your email once you have 'checked out' at the shop} These talks are free but we would welcome a donation to one of our appeals Save the Bees or Apiary and Education

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Braintree division honey show 2020

BRAINTREE DIVISION HONEY SHOW 2020 – YES, IT DID GO AHEAD! Braintree Division held their Annual Divisional Honey Show as normally as possible under the current Covid restrictions. The show was well supported with 25 members making a total of 87 entries. A risk assessment was undertaken and measures were put in place to keep everyone safe. A gazebo was erected at the entrance of White Notley Village Hall and everyone brought their exhibits packed up in boxes and left them on the table. The Show Secretary and two stewards afixed the show labels and took the entries into the hall. Masks were worn, hand sanitisers were provided and we adhered to the White Notley Village Hall Covid guidelines at all times. Participants were able to purchase Thornes beekeeping equipment from our sales table and as all beekeeping trade fairs were cancelled this year it was a great success. In fact you could say that we held a mini National Honey Show in White Notley Village! Our Show Judge was J...

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Honey bees lose sleep after ingesting pesticides, leading to greater stress and lower hive survival rates

 What baffles me is how the researcher actually completed her research. In my beekeeping year, if I don't kill 'em it's a result, let alone figure out their sleep patterns. 

More here https://phys.org/news/2020-11-honey-bees-ingesting-pesticides-greater.html  Good luck with the diagram. 

Busy bees, even in early November

Here in the UK, November is generally not great flying weather, yet the bees were bringing back full pollen baskets.

Honeybees disrupt the structure and functionality of plant-pollinator networks

Summary: Too many honey-bees can be bad, as can be clearly seen in the diagrams below. 

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-41271-5

Holding Practicals during the Covid-19 Pandemic

How to plan training during Covid-19 Following several members contacting us, we have put together some advice for local branches planning to hold practicals during Covid-19. We would like to hear from Branch Associations and Members that have already started to do training exercises during the current pandemic on what practical guidance they have put in place and if they would like to add or give feedback on our new web page. Very little beekeeping training has gone on during Covid-19 due to the difficulties of social distancing and local lockdowns. We are collating a list of advice that associations can offer each other during the coming year. If you have tried a particular practical approach and have found that it’s worked please let us know and we will add this to this page, either as a case study or just a short description. Some associations have managed to keep their stores open to members using social distancing - this includes Chesterfield beekeepers https://www.fac...

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Beyonce the Beekeeper

Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter (to give her the full monicker) is a beekeeper. 

New Exam Board Secretary

Nicky Campbell – Exam Secretary  I am delighted to be taking up the post of Examination’s Secretary for BBKA. I have been a beekeeper for five years and keep between three and five colonies in suburban Sheffield. I am a member of Sheffield BKA where I have served on the committee as Chair and Event Secretary. I have taken three of the module exams and I loved the experience and would recommend them. I am really looking forward to being involved in the process of providing these amazing learning experiences to beekeepers. Previously I have worked as an Office Manager and administrator for a software company and hope my experience will be valuable in my new role. As well as beekeeping I am a keen cook and long distance runner, two things that often go hand in hand. The prize for honey cake at my local honey show continues to elude me though. I am looking forward to talking to many of you over the coming years. Especially if you have top tips for honey cake!. Nicky Ca...

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