Hello Peter & All,

I might add a few comments although Peter's hypothesis sounds OK.

> In fact, the situation is worse than the 30% quoted, because many colonies
> collapsed before winter arrived; I would put the annual figure at around
> 50%.
Besides varroa issues collapsing in late summer and early fall can also be
nosema ceranae.  Has the U.K. checked for nosema ceranae?

> No, the weather was the real culprit.

I am not saying the weather was not a factor but bees can survive many
weather issues.  50% losses indicates to me another issue and I would take
samples and look deeper.

  A good spring would have helped, but
> instead we had a cold NE winds throughout May when the oilseed rape was in
> flower; this major source yielded virtually nothing and the colonies
> failed to recover.

In the U.S. most commercial beeks have went to pollen patties under poor
weather conditions. I have seen patties which bring hives to life and many
recipes are around but basically alike.

  In
> addition, we have had to split colonies to fill all those empty boxes -
> and this has reduced the meager crop even further.

In our last drought if not for pollen patties and feeding we would have lost
most hives.  A pollen pattie can produce two frames of brood and a light
syrup can make better queen acceptance.

> Some of us are hoping for something from the heather, but so far the
> August weather has been appalling; it seems that the UK now has a summer
> monsoon

If the weather is poor in my area I take the controls from "mother nature"
and keep the bees in shape. In my opinion good nutrition makes for strong
hives.

Sorry for the losses in the U.K.. All areas of the world are reporting bee
loses including China.

bob

****************************************************
* General Information About BEE-L is available at: *
* http://www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l/default.htm   *
****************************************************