3M with the Bees on Autumn Grounds Day

3M were very busy during our Autumn Grounds Day!  We had the wonderful opportunity of visiting our very own bee hives, with a Bee Keeper.  Not only did we visit the apiary, but we actually got the chance to dress in our very own bee suits and study the hives.  We were so intrigued by our bees, that we wanted to find out more about these incredible creatures. 



Kitting up to study the bees

 

We learned about how to write effective instructions to explain how to observe our bees and we started to research about these insects to answer our enquiry question, 'Why do we need bees?'

We learned that there are far more to bees meets the eye.  Without these creatures, not only would there be far fewer wild flowers and plants, but the world’s food production would also change radically.  Certain foods, such as almonds, blueberries and tomatoes, rely solely on bees for pollination and a world without tomato pizza would be a very sad place!

During October of this year, America placed bees on the Endangered Species list for the first time ever, which saddened us deeply.  Many of us didn’t realise just how important bees are to our world and if we don’t act now, our world will be a far less colourful place to live.

Ready to enter the apiary

 

 



 

Bee exploration

Today was an exciting day - I was at last going to get to go into the apiary and see the bees.  They are now awake and busy after the winter, so I was going to see some action.

Mr Warren inspects our hives weekly, and I met him there to find out for myself what happens.  The colony within the observation hive inside the shed is working really well and the queen is busy laying eggs; she is a young queen so full of vigour.  The hive outside has a queen which is 3 years old and starting to slow down, but the colony is still very healthy.

This is the entrance to the indoor hive.  A small hole within the apiary enclosure. The white plate and landing zone are to guide the bees, and enable them to find the entrance on a large blank shed side.

After donning the bee suit in I went while Mr Warren opened the hives and checked the slides.  Each showed a selection of activities - from larvae to honey, drone cells to nectar.  It was fascinating to watch the bees making a bee line (yes an actual bee line) from the apiary and over the side gate to the nearest source of nectar which we think is a line of horse chestnuts.  And that leads me into the different colours of pollen in the sacs.  We spotted bright yellows, greens and one bee with dark red pollen sacs.  Fascinating.



The bees were so gentle and docile, taking no notice of us at all as they were busy.  It was such a privilege today to see them at their work.  I'm quite envious of the Year 4 children who will soon be starting an enquiry on the different colours of pollen and where the bees might be sourcing it.

The way into the indoor hive is through this channel - the entrance to which is a small hole on the outside but within the enclosure.

The top of our observation hive

Our fabulous observation hive.

Poached eggs take 2

Our hens produce lovely fresh eggs and up until this moment the thought of enjoying a poached egg at school for breakfast had escaped me.  Then someone mentioned eggs benedict...
Cue Mrs Nash who explained that her husband cooked poached eggs using a cup and microwave.  Suddenly the possibility of a poached egg for breakfast seemed to be a reality.
2 minutes later, the ping of the microwave signalled the moment life was about to change forever at Wicor.

Behold a poached egg and tasty it was too.

The first Wicor poached egg in breakfast club....yum!

Mark Wildman

Early Nectar

Our mild weather has meant that we have seen a greater number of bees about. At Wicor we have carefully planted a wide variety of plants that flower through some of the darker months! This has provided our own bees with a good supply of much needed nectar.

Helleborus odorus

                                                Narcissus pseudonarcissus

Rosmarinus officinalis

Mahonia japonica

How do you like your eggs in the morning?

Mrs Keeling recommends our lovely, fresh, organic eggs for poaching.  They only need a few minutes in boiling water and bind together beautifully.

It would be interesting to know how you have used our school hens' eggs.  Do let us know.

Bees meet children meet bees

On Wednesday 30th September, Year 3 were the first intrepid explorers of our apiary along with Mr Warren, our beekeeper, and Mr Barnard.  This was all part of our autumn grounds day which had a focus on food and harvest.  During the day everyone had a chance to learn about our bees, talk to Mr Cavill from BeeGood, make bee homes and visit the apiary.   Bee suits for the children had kindly been provided by NATS at Swanwick and Year 3 took full opportunity of their arrival.

Everybody was fascinated by the bees, and how they behave.  Even the nervous among us decided to have a go and went into the apiary with Mr Warren.

Simon Cavill then talked to the the children about how wax, honey and propolis from the bees can be used in beauty products.  He also taught them about a bee's waggle dance.  Mr Warren provided some honey from the bees on site for everyone to taste.

What a great day!

There's a buzz at Wicor

Preparing the base for the apiary

The observation shed

When a parent approached us with a tentative question - How do you feel about keeping some bees at Wicor? - we pounced.  Yes please!  We had been researching this possibility for several years and decided that the time had come to put theory into practice.  We identified an area and set to work to create a first class apiary. 
 

Preparing the fence

 

The apiary is ready for bees