Dear Friends
The recent blog post by Giancarlo on the awakening of nature (http://m-polo.blogspot.de/2014/04/awakening-of-nature-in-munich_13.html) has been experienced by myself as well as warmer weather is spreading over Europe.
Usually April signals the changeover from the colder temperatures of winter to the hotter summer months and especially in Malta where the increase in air temperature is not linear over the whole of spring but rather sudden. The months of April-May-June are known for the formation of swarms from honeybee colonies and a very early swarm formed last Saturday 12/04. Swarming is a natural phenomenon of honeybees whereby the bee colony (containing tens of thousands of bees) divides itself roughly 60-40% and the larger part leaves the hive together with the existing queen. These try to find a new place where to set up a new colony. The remaining 40% can form another swarm (or more, depending on the amount of bees and the weather). They are able to rear a new queen if there are suitable young larvae in the hive. Being interested in apiculture I find this a fascinating phenomenon, you can read more about it here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swarming_(honey_bee) and I can suggest two good books
and
In the case below I was called to assist in removing a swarm from the branches of a tree in the cloister of a priory at Mdina. The swarm was captured in a small nucleus box and then it was taken on the roof of the convent. I will inspect it after a few days to see whether a new colony is able to form. A good indication will be if forager bees carrying pollen are seen entering the hive.
The priory is of historical significance as it dates back over 350 years and it is the place from where the revolution against the French occupation of Malta started in 1798. There is also a vertical sundial on one of the cloister walls.
The priory also houses a beautiful church (http://www.carmelitepriory.org/the-priory/the-carmelite-church/ ) which can be experienced online from:
Saħħa
Alexei
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