The anticipated crawling frost never arrived. We found ourselves in a confusing and uncanny environment. With recognisable skies that never really woke up, transitioning from deep midnights, to glimpses of hopeful sunlight struggling to break through and withstand the duration of the day. This was something we expected and were prepared for. However, what we never predicted was the bizarrely warm temperatures that lingered from autumn into winter. We found ourselves being tricked by the weather, only delicate tastings of winter surfaced. A prickle or dusting of light frost and snow here or there graced our presence, but in the end it dissipated into nothingness. Instead our colony has been faced with consistent rain, thoroughly drenching the soft mulched ground surrounding our hive. A swampy mud combined with debris has found a home where foliage once was. Gusts of sharp winds have been a common experience, rattling our hive, vibrating the internal surfaces of our wax comb walls.
Photo by PollyDot From Pixabay
With these unusual weather patterns, we have received news that has travelled from nearby colonies of flooding. It has been said that large quantities of water have escaped their river banks, grasping and taking hold of anything in their path, including established colonies that have built their hives low to the ground, never needing to take into consideration the possibility of flooding before. Washed away in a torrent of water. Our species were not the only ones to be affected by the heavy rains, other species far removed from us have also been displaced. Creatures that live below ground in holes and burrows awaiting the beginnings of spring have been dragged to the surface from their slumber. Their hibernations have been interrupted by the cold, frightful waters that have engulfed their dwellings. This will require them to act fast, find a new residence and reset their hibernation before the true frost finally arrives.
Photo by PollyDot From Pixabay
We have been fortunate enough to avoid such chaos. Luckily the repairs made to the hive walls in November have withstood the temperamental changes in weather. Even with the strong winds, our hive has remained dry and all in one piece. We are continuing to huddle together to retain heat, maximising airflow and maintaining the hives dryness while keeping our Queen safe. Our pollen and honey stores gathered in spring, summer and autumn have been sustaining us and keeping us nourished. Calculations have been made by colony members and at this rate we should have enough stores to take us through to the month of April. As it has been warmer than expected and when there has been a prolonged dry spell, it has allowed colony members to bravely venture out of the hive to gather further winter provisions. During these foraging flights, reports have come back that there have already been sightings of spring flowers erupting from the hard winter earth: daffodils, crocuses and snowdrops, in addition to the many early spring trees which have begun to bud. An unexpected sight to see so early on in the year. However, we will always try to take opportunities where we can and keep in mind the possibility of unpredictable, fluctuating temperatures, as this can leave us short sighted and in danger of not making it back to the colony if we journey too far.
The Far Orchard 