Apiary Meeting, 2nd May

Posted on by May 2, 2026

With almost constant sunshine over the last two weeks, the horse chestnuts have rapidly caught up with the OSR, and the bees will have been busily filling supers.  We’ll be looking to balance up the colony strengths this weekend, and where appropriate splitting at least one colony to make sure we have a good number of colonies ready for the summer flow.  We’ll also be making sure the training apiary is ready for our next beginner course the following weekend.

Location: Palmsted Wood, Bekesbourne Ln, Bekesbourne

Date/Time: Saturday 2nd May at 1400-1600

Apiary Meeting, 11th April

Posted on by May 2, 2026

After a lovely week, the clouds appear to be massing for the weekend, but unless it’s actually raining, we will meet on Saturday 11th April at our Palmsted Wood apiary to see how our bees have survived the winter. If the weather forecast changes, then we may have to adapt, but such is the challenge of arranging inspections in April! The bluebells and anemones are in full bloom, so even if it is grey, it will be worth coming down.

Branch meeting, 1st April

Posted on by March 28, 2026

Adrian Davis and Julian Audsley will lead a discussion on how to improve your bees. What does Bee Improvement mean, what you can hope to achieve, and how to go about it.

Location: Littlebourne War Memorial Hall, 56 High St, Littlebourne, Canterbury CT3 1ST

Date/Time: Wednesday 1st April at 1930-2130

If you haven’t yet picked up traps for yellow-legged hornets, Mark Hobday will have some available to take away – although we’re not advocating for spring trapping, it’s a good time of year to be getting ready. Mark will also have hornet attractant liquid available; we ask that you bring an empty drinks bottle (e.g. 500mL) to take the liquid away with you

Branch Meeting, 4th February

Posted on by January 30, 2026

The days are lengthening, so it’s time to start thinking about preparations for Spring, and in particular keeping on top of the yellow-legged hornet. The meeting will be at Littlebourne Village Hall, (the lounge) at 7.30-9.30pm, led by Mark Hobday. Below are Mark’s notes on the evening.

This will be the 3rd time of presenting this subject, so I am going to change the format by showing you a large chunk of a recent Zoom talk given by Professor Stephen Martin to the Scottish Beekeepers about the biology, pests and control of both the European and Yellow Legged Hornet…interesting and concerning…
In addition, I will briefly cover last years “stats” and explain how we hope to trial the new Buzz Copper V2, an AI camera trap aimed at remote detection of YLHs by “radio wireless” technology.
The Branch has purchased Trappit bait for all existing and new “trappers” & additionally 40 VespaCatch Select for new volunteer trappers. Bait and traps will be free issued on 4th Feb.
BRING A PLASTIC BOTTLE FOR YOUR BAIT!
In my opinion, 2026 will be the “make or break” year for the effective control of this species. The National Bee Unit rely completely on our and the general public’s reports of hornet sightings to enable them to enact the only proven “control measure”, nest destruction. Please attend on the 4th Feb. If you can’t, I will endeavour to be present at future meetings to dish out more Trappit!
Mark Hobday
Yellow Legged Asian Hornet Co-ordinator for Canterbury Beekeepers