Cloudforest Five will soon be buzzing!
Our fabulous beekeepers were delighted at the recent arrival of the various equipment needed for the establishment of two "National" hive sets on our Cloudforest Five site in Mountoven, Co. Kerry. They have been busy assembling the boxes, and the hive stands have been made up.
Next they will need painting to protect the wood from the elements. The weather can be challenging in Kerry and the painted surfaces will resist the worst that the Dingle Peninsula weather can throw at us. Our hives will be painted with a natural oil-based hive paint, although the use of water-based paints is often acceptable too. None of the inner surfaces are painted. This will keep the bees happier and also keep the wood sliding easily.
To begin with, a Brood box will be used with a cover and lid - this will sit directly on the stand. The Brood box will contain eleven deep frames with wax foundation inserted for the bees to build their comb on. A mixture of older foundation and new will be used. The older made-up foundation makes it easier for the bees to make a start in their new home, while the newer foundation is there ready for when they want to use it.
The hives will be provided with some natural shelter and with some protective screening. Set at a short distance from the hives, the height of this screening will provide extra shelter from the elements. Overlooking the Maharees, this is a magnificent site with great views.
Our Native Irish Honey Bee (Amm) thrive in these cool, maritime conditions and are ideally suited to the site. The process isn't foolproof but it’s well tried and tested. The bees will have access to extensive foraging resources and plenty of fresh air!! They will feel completely at home in Cloudforest Five.
The Native Irish Honey Bee is a precious thing, clever and beautiful with a mind of its own. Our bees deserve our utmost respect and as their carers we will do everything to keep our colonies thriving in this beautiful natural environment.
Our bees are locally reared Native Irish Honey Bees, and we are committed to their conservation... We will be keeping a very close eye on our CF5 bees, and once installed the hives will be regularly inspected to hopefully ensure that all goes well.
We are really looking forward to monitoring their progress and learning as we watch our native bees living in such a beautiful natural habitat.
