Apiary Diary—Autumn 2026
The heat is on
Another busy year managing our apiaries at six locations: two in West Oxford (at our base and nearby allotments), one at Hogacre Common, two at University College (in Central and North Oxford), and one at Farmoor, just outside Oxford.
The extraordinarily hot summer seemed as if it would never end. It can feel at least 10 degrees hotter inside a bee suit, so this needed a sensible approach.
Although the initial warmth gave colonies an early start, the prolonged drought reduced the nectar later on. Overall, most colonies fared well, but there were reports within the beekeeping community of colonies absconding. This is where the whole colony abandons its hive, sometimes due to predatory attack, but in these cases they would be seeking somewhere shadier away from the direct sun and relentless heat.
Many beekeepers reported very low numbers of wasps this year (they prey on honeybee larvae for protein and may rob a hive of its honey for energy), and fortunately there were no credible sightings of the much-feared yellow-legged (Asian) hornet in our area, although sightings seem to be spreading inland from certain port towns; it seems they may follow waterways.
Far more bees?
This was the first full season for our new micro-apiary in Farmoor (west of Oxford). Of the two swarms introduced here this summer, caught in Cumnor and in East Oxford, sadly the former absconded, perhaps due to the excessive summer heat (we hope it has made a new home--perhaps in the nearby shady wood), but the other is developing well and preparing for winter as I write.
The plot thickens
Another new colony under Botley Meadow Bees management came about following a call for help from an allotment association. A plot holder had 'inherited' a beehive complete with flying residents, then friction had arisen between plot holders, perhaps fuelled by a combination of less-than-ideal hive positioning and human perceptions.
Over a couple of sessions we were able to move the hive to a more acceptable spot, and to carry out some structural repairs. It is a WBC hive (the type with sloping sides surrounding a column of boxed frames), and had been there for some years, with no or minimal management. Apparently, colonies have come and gone, and it is an interesting example of letting bees do their 'own thing'. Part of the remedy was to give the bees more space (another box, or 'super')—they had clearly
outgrown their existing space and were building comb in the area that is supposed to remain a void!
Following these basic interventions, both the bee and human communities seem happier, and we were able to harvest some frames of honey, while leaving plenty for the colony. I dare say the bees are incredibly beneficial for the whole site, pollinating all that fruit and veg!
College colonies
We started the year with one colony in each of the two Univ apiaries, but by early summer these had increased to five (almost full capacity overall). This resulted from populating them with newly caught swarms, attracting local swarms, or making 'splits'.
A 'split' involves establishing a new colony from an existing one and an empty hive. There are various ways to achieve this, but essentially the beekeeper transfers from the existing colony to the empty hive a proportion of its bees, and some comb containing enough developing eggs, larvae and food stores to keep it going while a new queen is raised.
One of the two hives will retain the old queen (usually the old hive unless we move her by accident!), and in the queenless hive the workers will instinctively build several queen cells and feed these a special diet. In a few weeks a new queen should emerge, mate, and start laying eggs herself to establish the new colony.
So, despite the heat and a few unexpected challenges, it's been another rewarding year for both the bees and their keepers. Now we just need to see what winter brings!
Mark, Botley Meadow Bees, October 2026
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