Beverley
Beekeepers' Association
The
local Beekeeping Association for East Yorkshire
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Foraging
Honey bees collect nectar from flowers which they carry in
the `honey stomach'. Nectar is turned into honey in the
hive by the action of enzymes secreted by the bee and by
evaporating most of the water from it. Bees collect pollen
as a source of protein to feed to the young. Pollen is
carried back to the hive in the pollen baskets on the hind
leg. It is stored in cells mixed with a little honey to
bind it. These cells are usually to be found between the
brood and the honey stores. They are of various colours
depending on the source of pollen.
Honeybees are attracted to many plants which provide them
with nectar and pollen in exchange for their services as
pollinators. The main nectar and pollen sources are:-
Agricultural
oilseed rape, field beans, clover, borage, mustard,
phacelia, lucerne, sunflowers, and most soft fruit crops.
Hedgerows hawthorn, bramble, wild rose, poppies, dandelion,
water-balsam, ivy, rosebay willow herb, and many other
flowering weeds.
Trees
lime, chestnut, sycamore, willow, hazel, and most fruit
trees
Heather moors ling and bell heather
Gardens most herbs, crocus and snowdrops, eucalyptus,
lavender, berberis, cotoneaster,
hebes, lavatera, mahonia, etc
Woodlands aphid attack yields secretions which bees collect
to make honeydew.
It is worthwhile providing nectar and pollen producing
plants close to the apiary. The greatest benefit will be
from early spring sources of pollen. Crocus, willow and
hazel are particularly recommended.
Flying Distance
Bees
fly up to 3 miles to collect nectar and pollen at between
6' and 20' above the ground, depending on weather
conditions. Unlike bumblebees they fly directly from hive
to plant and back. Scout bees source good forage and report
back to the colony the distance and direction to be flown
by intricate dances on the frames.
Nectar
A single bee makes 12,000 to 20,000 journeys for one pound
of nectar. Nectar contains between 40 – 80% water; honey
contains 15 – 21%. Therefore one pound of honey takes
approximately 50,000 journeys.
Pollen
A
strong colony requires 44 lb of pollen to raise 200,000
bees - 2 million loads of pollen from around 300 plants.
Honey
A
strong colony requires 450 lb of honey in a good season -
22.5 million journeys; 350 lb for their own use, 50 lb for
winter and 50lb for the beekeeper.
Pollination
The
value of bees as pollinators cannot be disputed; a crop of
borage in a good year will increase its yield by 20%. Fruit
crops improve both in quality and quantity.