Taking stock

It's turning out to be a bonanza summer for beekeeping. The third heatwave has conveniently coincided with the flowering of acres and acres of Phacelia, and the colonies are furiously piling in the nectar.Actually, that's not quite accurate … there's nothing furious about it.Even colonies that have previously been a bit temperamental are decidedly 'mellow' thanks to the consistently good weather and ample nectar.Instead, they are single-mindedly filling the supers, and studiously ignoring my occasional meddling.If you are also experiencing these conditions, and this is your first season of beekeeping, do not assume it's always like this 😉.It's not even unbearably hot here in the Scottish Borders, particularly as I try to do my 'bee work' early or late in the day. In another 3 weeks or so it'll all be over (other than the heather which will just be starting) and I'll know whether it's been a record season in terms of honey yield per colony {{1}}.As I mentioned a fortnight ago, it's…