Our weakest bee colony was recently under constant attack by wasps. In the photo a group of guard bees protects the entrance as wasps try to get inside to gorge themselves on the honey. In August, wasps are no longer fed in their own nests so try to get sweet food wherever they can, causing a nuisance to people and bees alike. The bees were defending well and we helped them by making their entrance slot even smaller so it needed less bees to defend it.

Plenty of butterflies and moths around at the moment including these cabbage white (Pieris napi) resting in the evening on a pignut flower (Conopodium majus) and visiting ‘painted ladies’ (Vanessa cardui).

Also grasshoppers (Chorthippus brunneus) are very noisy.

Our honey entry took second place at Garstang show on Saturday. There was some confusion about which category to enter as we only managed to take the honey from the hive the day before the show. It turned out to be darker than expected! Lots of other categories that we might try for next year including candles, moulded wax, cut comb honey and displayed frame.

Lancaster Beekeepers were well represented in all categories and also had a popular stand selling honey and other products and with a demonstration hive which attracted a lot of interest.