Natural Beekeeping International Forum

[Peter123]

Hello members, I have a hummingbird feeder outside my window and it gives my family great enjoyment. Something I noticed, that I'm sure others have, is a hummingbird feeder can be a good indicator of nectar flow which can help in hive management. Hummingbirds like bees prefer nectar over sugar water, so you can get a good indication of nectar flow by how often you have to fill the feeder. Just thought I'd share my observation.

[Jasbee]

Thanks for sharing that observation. My son (8 years) is fascinated by humming birds but living in Australia hasn't ever seen one in real life. Do your bees use the feeder too?

[Peter123]

Thanks for responding Jasbee. The bees try to use the feeder but it has little plastic screen plugs that prevent them from getting to the nectar. Are there no hummingbirds in Australia? I'm on the southern most part of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada and the hummingbirds overwinter here. It's a relatively recent phenomenom which probably speaks to global warming.
Can I ask what is the main nectar flow for honey bees in your area?

[Jasbee]

I'm such a newbie that I'm not really sure. We live in suburbia with bush within flying distance so our bees have a pretty good diverse supply year round (I think due to our warm winter days they will continue collecting on fine days). The was a big flow when the local Maleleuca (paperbark) trees flowered but our mentor said that there was a honey shortage as the eucalyptus trees hadn't flowered. So maybe they would be our main flow. There are so many things to learn.
No humming birds in Australia - plenty of brightly coloured noisy parrots though.