This was a day full of joy for us today. Even at our bee site in the northern Black Forest, at an altitude of over 700 m, we were able to observe the bees carrying pollen and the first nectar for the first time this year today. We had a long winter. 14 days ago there was still snow here.
But within a few days, the beautiful yellow wintercreepers and crocuses were already blooming everywhere. After the last snow rain on Easter holidays, now spring can't be stopped here either.
We are also pleased that almost all colonies seem to have survived the winter well. However, the loss rate is still too high and is about 15%, which is much better than last year's result. We are also receiving similar initial reports from other cooperation partners who severely limited the "honey harvest" last year and left the honey to the bees. However, a triage has not yet taken place in detail.
This year, for the first time, we will not extract any honey at all from half of the colonies, after little extraction last year, and we are curious to see how this affects bee health.
Spring is here......this is a wonderful moment not only for the bees.
