Take a beekeeping class

Here are two beekeeping classes offered in the metro area.
The University of Minnesota Beekeeping in Northern Climates: taught by
Dr Marla Spivak, Bee Scientist Gary Reuter, and Bee Lab students and staff.
At the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska, MN -  March 2nd - 3rd
http://beelab.umn.edu/Education/Public_Courses/index.htm
Some beekeepers can't attend due to scheduling conflicts. The course materials can be purchased online. I would also recommend purchasing the DVD and the Diseases and Pests manual with the booklet. It takes the beekeeper through two years of Beekeeping.
http://beelab.umn.edu/Resources/Beekeeping_manuals_videos/index.htm#northern

Backyard Beekeeping: by Master Beekeeper Bob Sitko, dsrhsitko@msn.com
Century College, White Bear Lake, MN
Thursdays - Feb 7 - Mar. 28th, 6:30 - 8:30 pm, plus a field trip to a beeyard on a Sat TBD
http://century.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&int_class_id=19362
College phone 651-779-3341 course id 19362

Uncommon winter birds

These are two uncommon winter birds in the northern metro.

Male Evening Grosbeak, common in northern Minnesota. We see them down in the metro area occasionally.

 Photo by G. Gehrman

Tufted Titmouse common in southern MN and south. The metro area is its northern edge of its habitat. photo by G. Gehrman

Save the bees - sign the petition

http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/efsa_bees/?r_by=53724-4512935-eC7LpGx&rc=mailto1

Two Beekeepers with a Facebook exchange about thermometers in the hive

•  I had installed a thermometer with a removable probe in my hives. I checked the temps yesterday when it was zero degrees outside -- it was 87.6 degrees where the probe was inside the hive. The cluster must have been nearby. It just amazes me how warm their clusters are!

  
  
•  Dawn, where did you get the thermometer and how did you place it in the hive? Sounds like something I'd like to give a try. Thx, Di

   Diana, I picked up indoor-outdoor thermometers with removable probes at Menards (less than $10 each). I drilled a small hole in the center of the moisture board, inserted the probe, and plugged the hole shut with the probe inside. I ran the plug end of the probe out through the slightly propped telescoping cover just far enough so I can plug in the brains of the unit when I want to take a reading. I covered the plug end with plastic when not in use so I don't have to de-ice it before using. Seems to work well for now. Once we get the next thaw, I plan to check honey stores and check/adjust the probe location in the hive. Let me know if you have other questions about it.
• 
  
•  I was using the thermometers to help me determine whether I still had two colonies wintering over. When I took the initial reading it was 0 degrees outside: the Carniolans were at 87.6 (yeah!), but the MN Hygienics were only 12 degrees. While I'd like to believe that the one probe wasn't anywhere near the cluster, I've been suspicious that my Hygienics weren't doing well this winter. I haven't seen them near entrances, haven't seen dead bees or debris in too long, and their moisture board has looked dry for a while. In contrast, I often see the Carnis' guard bees near the upper entrance, an occasional dead bee on the hive stand, and evidence of moisture exiting the hive. Hopefully we'll get a warm day here soon so I can inspect the hives.

The temperature of the hive

From a facebook friend:" I had installed a thermometer with a removable probe in my hives. I checked the temps yesterday when it was zero degrees outside -- it was 87.6 degrees where the probe was inside the hive. The cluster must have been nearby. It just amazes me how warm their clusters are!"
 Bees start winter in the bottom box (two box hive) or the middle box (three box hive). In most hives this time of year the cluster of bees have moved up in the hive.  The cluster of bees should now be in the top box. That is why bees store honey above them. They move up in the winter. The warmest part of the hive is the top box because heat rises making it easier to keep the brood warm. The queen will start laying in around two to three weeks and the cluster of bees will be eating more honey to produce heat to keep the brood warm. So by mid Feb a hive food check is a must. 

Package Bee Order Forms

I am in the process of mailing out Package Bee Order Forms. They should all be in the mail by Friday the 18th and everyone I have an address for should have one by next Wed the 23rd.

Eric Mussen's Newsletters

Here is a link to past newsletters from Eric Mussen, Univ of California Apiculturest 
http://ucanr.org/sites/entomology/Faculty/Eric_C_Mussen/Apiculture_Newsletter/