>Yes indeed. Here in far northern NY, survivors built up well. Now we have
extended cool, wet weather that is reducing the ability of the bees to fly
during the first big flow. My outyard lost all their queens
recently.......Having more than one location is certainly key to
"sustainability", and I feel that those who disparage hobby beekeepers
should keep this in mind.

Agree with so much of that post.  Here in the UK (Midlands) things are
looking very poor at the moment - and it is all down to the weather.  Good
start to the season, then it deteriorated.  May was the worst for many
years, if not the worst on record - and it is not getting any better.
Prolonged low temperatures have been the biggest problem.

Colonies that built early then swarmed after being confined by the cold.
New queens have failed to mate properly as there were few drones on the
wing.  Queens just a few weeks old being superseded.  Some new queens
laying, but queens cells in all stages (literally - including dead and torn
down) present.  Large numbers of bees around any source of water.

Yet some colonies in favourable locations doing well - we have some in the
town with over 150lbs of honey on them.

As they say - location, location, location.

Best wishes

Peter 
52°14'44.44"N, 1°50'35"W

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