Books, Paintings and Illustrations
Bees, Horses, Birds, British Wildlife & Countryside animals
1.2
Snowed Under
It seems like the honey bees are hibernating for winter, but they are vibrating their wings and huddling together to keep warm ...
All quiet for the time-being
In the South of England, like the rest of Britain, bee hives can be blanketed in snow. Young and older beekeepers don’t visit the apiary as often over winter because the bees aren't active. Instead, they stay in their hives to keep warm.
The bees don’t use much energy to leave their hives over winter, but they do need energy to keep warm. They huddle together and vibrate their wings which creates heat. To do this, they need food. The bees rely on their honey and pollen stocks stored in the hive. Although they are good at conserving their energy, their food supplies will eventually run low.
Throughout winter, beekeepers will check their bees are safe. They will make sure they have enough food to last until the warmer weather arrives. They will give the bees additional food if it looks like they might use up their own reserves of honey and pollen.
Izzie and her honey bees are huddling together in their hive which is covered in snow. The local fields are also blanketed in snow so there isn’t any food for the bees, not that they want to go out at this time of year because it’s far too cold for them. They conserve their energy and make do with what food they have left in the hive.
There are other hungry animals and birds around outside. Food is scarce for them, too. All seems quiet, but the beekeepers are keeping an eye on Izzie's hive to help keep her safe.