Dear Beefriends

This April was exclusive on account of high weather temperatures. Our
meteorologists declared that it was the warmest April in last 250 year
period since the temperature records in Lithuania were begun to fix. The
spring is some 2-3 weeks ahead to average. As Prof. Buinevicius said
yesterday in our monthly beekeepers'  meeting, we really have a non standard
situation, the olive trees are blooming together with "FORZICIA". The bees
were rapidly strengthening, bringing much nectar and pollen. The stronger
stocks already began to raise queens.  He reminded the listeners of methods
to prevent swarming.

An advanced beekeeper A. Miskinis gave us some details of his last
experience.
The wintering mortality of his Carnica is 1% (100 bee stocks). The reason
was a crystallized honey in combs. The cleansing flight occurred on the
March, 19. Air temperature was some 5C/41K . One of his best apiary control
hive weight increased to 26 kg net. The ziphers are as follows:
(Day/month-Daily weight increase, kg- Highest day temperature deg C/deg K)

18/04 - 1.5kg   - 18C/64K
21/04 - 12.6kg - 22C/72K
22/04 - 2.6kg   - 24C/75K
23/04 - 1.4kg   - 24C/75K
24/04 - 0.5kg   - 25C/77K
25/04 - 0          - 22C/72K
26/04 - 1kg      -22C/72K
28/04 - 2.5kg   - 26C/79K
29/04 - 1.5kg   - 26C/79K
30/04 - 2.5kg   - 26C/79K
01/05 - down 0.1kg   - 12C/54K

The supers are mostly capped. The garden trees ended blooming. Dandelions
are going down but the bees didn't go on them at least to last Sunday. Since
May, 01 we have a cold week with 9-14C/48-57K (normal as usually). The bees
will have a hard period until raspberry which usually used to bloom on June,
10.

As Prof.. Buinevicius said: "The situation is not described in no hand book.
Even our famous learners of beekeeping Krisciunas and Straigis couldn't
foresee such trick of the Nature." I hope the inventive beekeepers should
survive.

A president of Lithuanian Apitheraphy Association told us about newly
explored, approved and spread into a market bee origin products for decease
curing and everyday use.

On June, 17 at 11 o'clock a beekeeping explorer Dr. Amsiejus invites all
beekeepers to his learning center - apiary for a practical lecture "Queen
raising, requeening and queen selection"

Best regards
Rimantas
http://rizujus.lei.lt/
55 North, 24 East