Phil Moore asked:

> What do you put this down too? did you make your splits earlier than
usual?
> Perhaps poor drone numbers or not good quenn flying weather?

Many were made much earlier than I would have wished - I am not sure that
the word 'usual' can be applied any longer, given the chaotic weather.  The
first spell of fine weather kick-started brood rearing and the subsequent
cool spell seemed to encourage them to build queen cells - even though many
were not into the supers.  The new queens then emerged during the poor
weather when there were few workers flying - let alone drones!  However,
some colonies tore down the queen cells - I have seen very large numbers
this year - only to rebuild them when the weather changed; these should
stand a good chance of mating properly.

Peter Edwards
[log in to unmask]
www.stratford-upon-avon.freeserve.co.uk/

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
-- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and  other info ---
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::