We have lift off!
This past weekend saw the opening of the first flower on the almond tree, of the first flower on the flowering currant, and of the beehives. All four colonies have come through the winter and are busy gathering the new season's pollen. I was pleased to see that they still have stores of last year's honey, though I'll wait for slightly warmer weather before doing a full check of the brood boxes.
Here I am rearranging the Disc Hive:
Lifting the Disc Hive brood box on to a mat. See the insulated roof next to it. And there to the left is the Cedar Hive on its new white stand.
I can now get to the super that spent the winter under the brood box. It is empty of honey but part full of bees. In a moment I will remove it and put the brood box back directly on to the hive floor.
There are signs of spring in the apiary:
I am looking forward to the season ahead.