Regular meeting this week with no specific topic to be discussed.  Bring questions.  Bring show and tell.  Weather is supposed to be warm and sunny – perfect for detailed colony examinations.  One of the package colonies may need to be collapsed.  Bring a smoker and veil if you want to get your hands dirty.

Queen rearing is the next module, but we will not cover that until late April or early May.

Thirteen attended, plus two guests (contractor and his wife). Fencing for expanded yard will be installed Wednesday. Contractor has agreed to build storage shed, donating his labour, club will pay for materials. To be determined if club members will assist in construction. Following Q&A session: member brought dead queen to examine; pros and cons of top entrance for hive; evaluating a used frame for re-use; lots of chalk brood has been observed in local populations; queen cups and queen cells; confirmed that there seem to be fewer honey bees and fewer insects generally. Field work: checking for nectar, pollen, brood, chalk brood and varroa; examined and cleaned off bottom boards; Hive 4 collapsed due to laying worker.