Dear Steve.
Gilbert White’s Letter XX is all about birds. But it is also about the community and network that he has put in place to support his interests.
I can’t follow that. I don’t have the network, and I certainly wouldn’t want to receive a never-ending supply of dead birds. I’m going to say luckily, with our ability to communicate, and perhaps more importantly, send images anywhere in the world, means it isn’t necessary to exchange physical bodies.
Then there are the birds. If I were fanatical about them, I’m sure I could make the time to go bird watching, but I don’t. That doesn’t mean that I don’t like to casually watch birds, especially in our garden; I love doing that.
In some respects, mainly reach and speed, my network would leave Gilbert breathless. But, in reality, it is the kind of friend who would knock on your door to tell you something interesting.
I’m bursting to tell you about something which happened last Wednesday. The timing here is relevant, at around 1pm, I was feeling peckish and fancied some Polish sausage for lunch. I took a walk to our local shop, picked up lunch and got back probably 1:30 ish. Nothing unusual there.
It was around 2:00pm when our neighbour, Jacky, knocked on the door and asked if I knew we had a swarm of bees in the silver birch at the front of our garden. I hadn’t noticed anything on my return from the shop, but looking out now, I could see a small cloud around the tree.
Without getting too close, I tried to look at the core of the swarm; it looked like a very tightly packed bundle of bees, about the size of a rugby ball. My assistant (as I’m now calling ChatGPT) advised that I had three options;
The Bees had split off from a hive that had become overcrowded and were looking for a new home. I could leave them, and the chances were that they would leave when the scouts reported that they had found an acceptable residence. The danger there is that the new home could be our loft or chimney! To call the council’s pest control office to come and remove the swarm. The problem here is that it would mean the death of the swarm. Totally unacceptable, and absolutely the last resort. Call the Beekeepers association, they would identify a local keeper who would be prepared to come and recover the swarm
Option 3 was the one. After a brief exchange, I was told that a chap called Mark was on his way from Whitely to have a look and do what was needed. I have to say that I was very impressed with the Beekeepers Association. The organisation’s website and the response were very professional.
Mark arrived about thirty minutes later, he assessed the situation. Luckily, I was able to provide the step ladder for him to access the swarm and a table to set up the temporary hive.
He got suited up and mounted the ladder. I saw him vigorously shake the tree and the swarm drop in the box. The bees weren’t happy. But after a couple of minutes, it was obvious that he had got the queen, and that she seemed happy with the new home. By now, it was around 3pm. I was concerned as the bees were right next to the route people take from school. Mark, though, was relaxed.
I invited Mark through to the back garden for a cup of tea. I’m delighted to say that he was quite complimentary about how bee-friendly Elayne had it. She was very pleased when I told her later.
He left the hive in place until 9pm. He described the collection as a classic example of how to do it. I asked Mark what would happen to the swarm, would he keep it? “No, I already have ten colonies, which is enough. I’ll pass it on to a friend”. Although I didn’t ask who, I quietly hoped it was somebody who was just getting started and that their new colony would be well looked after.
As Mark was closing up the hive, I commented that there were still a few bees around. His response was very matter-of-fact: “You can’t get them all. Some will always be left behind” I knew about the method that would be followed; I think it was a singular honour to see it from swarm arrival to being taken away. A fantastic act of nature. I just felt sad about the ones who wouldn’t make it to their new home.
All the best
Bill
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