it's a cold winter this year with sudden very cold frosts that the bees couldn't cope with, yet another blow to the bee population after last years bee loss from the neighbours spraying of Gramoxone to kill the weeds. Unfortunately for all New Zealand the government allowed re-entry of the spray provided it was used by licensed operators. Now we have 'colony collapse disorder' being reported in the bee circles around the country.

i very much think the two things are connected quite apart from which the W.H.O. is wanting to ban the chemical from worldwide use.

I am hoping for a good swarm collection season this spring.