Hebribees Honey

07/06/2026

I don't want to be one of those who post "updates" for the sake of posting updates, but it has been over a month!

So what's going on at the apiary? Nothing. Update over. 😅

Looking at our weather station you can see why. The last 30 days has averaged 10.8'C. It's been generally cloudy, with a light breeze.

https://app.weathercloud.net/d8658646311

The bees are out and foraging, but not in any great numbers. There are new bees and brood and pollen and nectar is coming in, but they are not expanding at any great rate.

Why would they? The weathers not exactly favourable for expansion!

There is a mixture of coloured pollen coming in though and wildflowers are appearing across Croft 5 and Uig. There are also signs of tree pollen and Rowan is one of the more obvious; the flowers are a welcomed sight, as is the creamy coloured pollen visible on the bees at the entrance.

Today's brief inspection was to determine the honey in the supers and if there's still space for the bees. There is some honey but they are not at risk of running out of space.

I am not doing weekly inspections as I don't see any risk of swarming and don't want to disturb the bees just because I want to have a look. I've heard from more experienced beekeepers on the mainland who think that this year is going to be a short honey season. We shall see, it's different again here in the Outer Hebridees. We already have a shorter season than further South

Seeing how slow the bees are to expand half way into the year I wonder if they know far more about the season than we do...

In other news, fencing around the apiary has started in preparation for the arrival of sheep on Croft 5 later in the year!

27/04/2026

Read all about spring at the apiary in the latest beekeeping blog:

https://croft5.scot/beekeeping-update-spring-has-sprung-2026/

19/04/2026

First signs of Spring as the bees gorge on Gorse here at Hebribees Honey, Isle of Lewis.

19/04/2026

Spring has Sprung and there's a Hive of Activity at Hebribees Honey today!

In my diary April 19th marks the first day of spring with blue skies, little wind and double digits showing on the thermometer. The bees are certainly awake and making the most of it!

I carried out the first inspection of the season today. A brief look at the colonies just to check there were no signs or swarming an that there were plenty of stores.

Great to see a strong set of bees after such a long, wet winter.

I also took a walk over the common grazings with the four legger and was really pleased to see my hardy Buckfast bees gorging on the abundance of gorse. The smell was fantastic.

Hopefully the forecast is right and we can think about putting on honey supers to start collecting all of that wonderful wild, Hebridean flavour!

12/04/2026

Spring hasn't really arrived yet here in Lewis, and so the latest beekeeping blog takes a brief look at frame building in preparation for the season...
..whenever it may start!

Spring hasn't Sprung In many parts of the UK the bees are already fetching in the nectar from oil seed r**e and dandelion; beekeepers are splitting colonies, adding supers, seeing honey, and having concerns about swarming. But here in the Outer Hebrides the seasons lag and it is a nervous time to be...

07/04/2026

As a beekeeper we have to trust the bees know what they are doing as they have been at this survival game far longer than we have! But you're never sure. And I haven't seen them (or any activity) since March 17th.

In many parts of the UK the bees are already fetching in the nectar from oil seed r**e, beekeepers are splitting colonies, and concerns about swarming are the norm down south.

But here in the Outer Hebrides the seasons lag and it has been a nervous time.

Well today there's activity!

Hive one appears strong and very busy. Hive two was smaller and weaker going into winter, and the same appears true given the activity today. But there is activity and the bees have made it through winter in the Hebrides. Hardy bees indeed!

You can see how crazy the weather is though; in 24 hours it has changed from a low of 1.2C to a high of 14.8C.

It's quite breezy and not time for inspections yet. Opening the hive and inspecting the colony risks chilling them, or if nothing else, disrupting their activity. It seems right to leave them to enjoy this warmer day and leave them alone. I doubt very much there will be a swarm risk so as excited as I am to inspect the bees, I'll have to wait!

18/03/2026

Sun out. Bees out.

After a long winter and a pretty wet and windy spring, it is great to report that the sun is out and the overwintered bees are busy with the orientation flights!

They were moved in January, so haven't had chance to orientate to their new surroundings until today. Hive 2 was a concern right up to today, with them being the smaller colony. But they have come through winter and whilst obviously smaller they are equally as busy as the other.

Fingers crossed for a few weeks of good weather so the pollen can start coming in, the brood expand, and the bees get ready for the start of the season.

On a personal level, it's great to be out in the apiary and surrounded by the buzz of activity again. Time to build my coffee bench so I can spend time relaxing in the company of the bees 🥰

01/03/2026

The first signs of spring have arrived at Croft 5 today, with the opening of the daffodils.

I planted these last autumn, to add the first hues of colour and to give an indication when the spring season starts here in the Outer Hebrides.

March is a time to keep an eye on the colonies, look for activity and signs of pollen going in, and indicating that a new round of brood is beginning ready for the nectar flows.

It's easy to get excited and jump ahead by adding pollen patties to stimulate the queen into laying. I think that March is a month to wait and see, and to hold back a little bit.

Too early and the bees could grow and outpace the available pollen and nectar flow. Too late and I wouldn't be maximising the colonies expansion for early summer splits or for that all exciting honey!

So today I'll accept that the daffodils know it's the 1st March, the bees probably do, and I'll wait to see if the weather forecast does!

The bees haven't taken a look out today, so I'm guessing they know it's not quite time yet!

14/02/2026

Checking in on the bees brought a little concern this month.

Starvation is a real problem and can happen very quickly in the lead-up to spring so it's important for the beekeeper to keep a regular close eye on the hives. We don't want to be opening them unless there is a concern, but checking the fondant and gauging the weight of the hive can be done with minimal disturbance.

Read more about the bees and life at Croft 5 in this, the latest blog post:

Now that January is February things seem to be moving at pace here on Croft 5, with boxes arriving, grants approved, and the yearly planer completed.

04/02/2026

Our weather station is now live here at Enaclete!

Follow the link to see what the weather is up to here at the apiary 😎

https://croft5.scot/live-weather/