Author Topic: Swarm dates for Qld (Read 46431 times)

max2 · « **on:** July 18, 2018, 06:09:13 pm »

Hi all,

I put out a very modest local Bee Newsletter.

I would like to include Swarm Dates and Places - it helps other beekeepers to be warned that swarms are about to happen.

Could Beekeepers in Queensland please send their location and date to this topic - thanks

PRYORDARNELL · « **Reply #1 on:** July 19, 2018, 05:36:39 am »

Hi Max
Im very new to beekeeping and am looking for any local Qld knowledge. Is your newsletter available online?

max2 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 19, 2018, 08:07:29 am »

You will find some of the old ones here: http://ecologicalsolutions.com.au/bees/?page_id=21

Send me an e-mail ( max@ecologicalsolutions.com.au) and I will add you to the mailing list - it is free.

eltalia · « **Reply #3 on:** July 19, 2018, 07:15:09 pm »

Top idea Max... I'll suggest late October early November for above the Tropic of Capricorn as
a "high alert" window. The caveat being swarms happen any time around flows up here.
I was knocking out QCs just a week ago!

Bill

max2 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 24, 2018, 07:30:02 pm »

First swarm in Maleny 4552 - never happened before as far as I know! 24. July 2018 - very much winter here. It was 27C yesterday at my hives. 6 C early morning today.

Bamboo · « **Reply #5 on:** July 25, 2018, 03:56:19 am »

Wow!! Were they yours?

max2 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 25, 2018, 05:57:11 pm »

No, not mine - but there was a swarm at a friends place in Glasshouse and one at Conondale - anybody in SE Qld keep a watch.

I plan to take some honey off today.

Bamboo · « **Reply #7 on:** July 25, 2018, 06:45:50 pm »

Looks to be a good day to take some honey off....another beautiful day in paradise. Was planning to get into mine this week but had an argument with a sledge hammer on Friday......I lost....a couple of broken fingers. Do you put out any swarm traps up there?

max2 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 27, 2018, 06:14:50 pm »

Sorry to hear about your accident. Does not sound good.

We have taken more honey off and I plan to do more today

Bamboo · « **Reply #9 on:** July 28, 2018, 03:26:59 am »

Thanks for the kind words mate. Are you extracting as you go or do you store until you have enough for a decent run at it? Haven't done an inspection yet but the tip test tells me there is plenty of honey in the hives. Next week I am going to just have to suck up the pain and get in and do inspection I was already late but have had other dramas happening down here as well. Glorious weather we are having, looks like a few showers coming up which will help things along.
Cheers
Mark

max2 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 28, 2018, 07:39:24 pm »

We take 4 supers off and extract and return.
The frames go back to the same hives they came from.

On a decent day we can do about 60 frames and on a VERY good day a little more.

We are very small operaters and us two oldies generally had enough after about 3 hrs. I then bottle and label the honey - readdy for sale.

By the time all is cleaned up and readdy for the next day I had enough. I also gave a garden and cattle and all need some attention.

A few more hives to do today and then I plan to see if I can split some hives.

Don't push things with an injury. At least at my age ( 70) I have learned that it does not pay.

max2 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 09, 2018, 08:02:49 am »

Just heard of a swarm near Palmwoods and another one at Glasshouse. A few cool mornings but warming up again. Expect more swarms - act now if you are in a warm spot.

Bamboo · « **Reply #12 on:** August 09, 2018, 09:00:53 am »

Thanks for the heads up. Will register my name with Palmwoods constabulary for swarms.
Bit the bullet and got into hives today, absolutely chockers took off about 80kg in total. Wall to wall brood and fortunately no QC's. Will put stickies back for clean out then splits next week. We have been having a few chilly nights but the days have been great, much like you being just up the hill so to speak.

Bamboo · « **Reply #13 on:** August 10, 2018, 04:14:30 am »

Another swarm in Palmwoods today. Was down looking at hives after giving them a hard time yesterday. All looking good and peaceful when I hear a buzzing coming from high up in a Ficus and what would you know but a swarm lands in the tree about 25m up. First time I have ever seen a swarm land while I was there. Great day to be alive!!

max2 · « **Reply #14 on:** August 10, 2018, 04:38:53 am »

We have been taking honey off as well - yesterday and today. I have been bottling and labelling all afternoon.

It does look like the Blue Gum's are slowing - need some rain like most places N and S and W.

I have some tall gums here and often the big swarms go high up where I'm not able to get them.

I have had swarms leave as I was taking frames out of another hive 1 m away. I can hear the swarms taking off from my office ( yet, I can't hear my wife calling for dinner - I wear two hearing aids) - always an amazing experience.

BeeMaster2 · « **Reply #15 on:** August 11, 2018, 08:39:17 am »

Here is a thread on making sugar patties.

https://beemaster.com/forum/index.php?topic=42618.msg366692#msg366692

eltalia · « **Reply #16 on:** August 13, 2018, 04:13:00 am »

No sign of swarming... and walking around the honey job.
Bit of luck the flows will stop, the dry continue and I won't
have to worry about it. :-)))

Bill

max2 · « **Reply #17 on:** August 15, 2018, 02:36:53 am »

3 swarms just 3 km from my bees. - up the valley from Conondale.

It has been warm here - high 20's C. Cool mornings. Low humidity, light wind.

max2 · « **Reply #18 on:** August 16, 2018, 06:49:01 pm »

Had two swarms here on my place ( Crystal Waters 4552) within 5 minutes.

I think I got one and the other looks like returned to the hive it came from - huge thing - bees everywhere

max2 · « **Reply #19 on:** August 25, 2018, 05:15:29 am »

24. August - another swarms just up the valley from us ( Policeman's Road)

Meanwhile i had a look at the swarms I cought a couple of weeks ago and they are doing fine