Thu, 05 Mar 2026 03:02:40 -0500 http://www.beekeepersdiarypodcast.com en-gb © 2026 A Beekeeper’s Diary Podcast yes fa05f0d0-3c26-5305-9e58-78f28e77e671 D. Briggs. episodic false I am a hobby beekeeper with a couple of hives in Hertfordshire, UK. A lovely couple let my wife and I place our hives in some farmland beside their house. This is a short, gentle, podcast check in from beside my hives. Follow along with our beekeeping season as it happens. 

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) D. Briggs. https://storage.buzzsprout.com/3z739ysk3t67r391pg4ylysoqj3o?.jpg http://www.beekeepersdiarypodcast.com S3 Ep1: Good news from the apiary! We are back in business. I have been lucky enough to be given some bees by my association, as a member has given up. I am feeding fondant to get them through the last of winter and can't wait to open up and see what is going on when the weather heats up. 

]]> We are back in business. I have been lucky enough to be given some bees by my association, as a member has given up. I am feeding fondant to get them through the last of winter and can't wait to open up and see what is going on when the weather heats up. 

]]> D. Briggs. Buzzsprout-18765994 Sat, 28 Feb 2026 18:00:00 +0000 370 full false S2 Ep 19: Bad news from the Apiary. Sad news I am afraid. I went to visit the bees over Christmas to check on food levels and hive health, but sadly the colony had collapsed. I describe what I think has happened in this episode. There are signs of spring in the countryside though, so there are optimistic moments to be had including wonderful birdsong. 

]]> Sad news I am afraid. I went to visit the bees over Christmas to check on food levels and hive health, but sadly the colony had collapsed. I describe what I think has happened in this episode. There are signs of spring in the countryside though, so there are optimistic moments to be had including wonderful birdsong. 

]]> D. Briggs. Buzzsprout-18674497 Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:00:00 +0000 451 2 19 full false S2 Ep 18: Winter update, all seems good! Welcome back, I had a few fun edits to start the podcast but have managed to hide them on the cutting room floor somehow. Quick winter update, stores are good, no condensation on the top of the bees, all seems ok. Fingers crossed. 

]]> Welcome back, I had a few fun edits to start the podcast but have managed to hide them on the cutting room floor somehow. Quick winter update, stores are good, no condensation on the top of the bees, all seems ok. Fingers crossed. 

]]> D. Briggs. Buzzsprout-18350742 Sun, 14 Dec 2025 16:00:00 +0000 315 2 18 full false S2 Ep 17: Winter bonnet is live. End of October visit. Feeders all empty and removed. Celotex bonnet on top with metal roof. Bees looking good, nice big colony. 

]]> End of October visit. Feeders all empty and removed. Celotex bonnet on top with metal roof. Bees looking good, nice big colony. 

]]> D. Briggs. Buzzsprout-18091008 Tue, 28 Oct 2025 18:00:00 +0000 227 2 17 full false S2 Ep 16: Windy autumnal episode. Nearly there for winter. A windy day in the apiary yesterday. Feeding is done for now, battening down the hatches for the long winter. The bees were still bringing pollen in, braving the rain and wind.

]]> A windy day in the apiary yesterday. Feeding is done for now, battening down the hatches for the long winter. The bees were still bringing pollen in, braving the rain and wind.

]]> D. Briggs. Buzzsprout-18044010 Mon, 20 Oct 2025 18:00:00 +0000 352 2 16 full false S2 Ep 15: The smell of Ivy, final top up of syrup, and an unexpected drive by. A chat from in my car as it was raining and the nearby gardener was giving it some welly with the leaf blower. Includes the smell of Ivy from the bees latest foraging, beehive remodelling and an equestrian drive by. 

]]> A chat from in my car as it was raining and the nearby gardener was giving it some welly with the leaf blower. Includes the smell of Ivy from the bees latest foraging, beehive remodelling and an equestrian drive by. 

]]> D. Briggs. Buzzsprout-17918153 Sun, 28 Sep 2025 14:00:00 +0000 316 2 15 full false S2 Ep 14: Stealthy pigeons, 5 litres of syrup and autumnal feels. Today marks the end of the varroa treatment time period, so I took out the strips. Only remembered after topping up the feeder so it was harder than necessary! A wood pigeon was stamping around beside me as I must have been in stealth mode or he was sneaking up on me very badly. 

]]> Today marks the end of the varroa treatment time period, so I took out the strips. Only remembered after topping up the feeder so it was harder than necessary! A wood pigeon was stamping around beside me as I must have been in stealth mode or he was sneaking up on me very badly. 

]]> D. Briggs. Buzzsprout-17879957 Sun, 21 Sep 2025 17:00:00 +0000 380 2 14 full false S2 Ep 13: Stung! More feeding and quick hive health check. Hi all, this is a whistle stop visit to top up the feeders, check varroa drop, wasp activity and overall hive health. Stung by a grumpy sky raisin. 

]]> Hi all, this is a whistle stop visit to top up the feeders, check varroa drop, wasp activity and overall hive health. Stung by a grumpy sky raisin. 

]]> D. Briggs. Buzzsprout-17840496 Sun, 14 Sep 2025 14:00:00 +0000 268 2 13 full false S2 Ep 12: Six foot dragonflies, winter feeding continues and hive returns to tranquility. The late summer sunshine glows upon me as I talk about commencing winter feeding, hefting the hive, checking all is ok with the Queen and some observations about the surrounding natural history at this time of year. 

]]> The late summer sunshine glows upon me as I talk about commencing winter feeding, hefting the hive, checking all is ok with the Queen and some observations about the surrounding natural history at this time of year. 

]]> D. Briggs. Buzzsprout-17801886 Sun, 07 Sep 2025 12:00:00 +0000 485 2 12 full false S2 Ep 11: Helicopter sound effects. Feeding paused. Varroa treatment week 2 checks. A wonderful late summer visit to the bees. Local Helicopter pilots make themselves known as I talk over the days activities. Feeding will be paused to leave space for the winter bees to be created. Don't want to fill all the space with food just yet. Varroa treatment will continue. 

]]> A wonderful late summer visit to the bees. Local Helicopter pilots make themselves known as I talk over the days activities. Feeding will be paused to leave space for the winter bees to be created. Don't want to fill all the space with food just yet. Varroa treatment will continue. 

]]> D. Briggs. Buzzsprout-17723406 Sun, 24 Aug 2025 14:00:00 +0000 342 2 11 full false S2 Ep 10: As the flowers fade, managing hives through late Summer The golden haze of late summer transforms the apiary landscape into a sea of beige, punctuated only by the occasional cowslip, ragwort, and thistle. Standing here on August 17th, the silence is almost deafening – a stark contrast to the vibrant buzz of high summer just weeks ago.

This pivotal moment in the beekeeping calendar brings unique challenges and essential tasks. As natural nectar sources dwindle, wasps become increasingly bold in their attempts to raid honey stores. I've begun the defensive preparations by reducing the hive entrance, with plans to narrow it further to a single bee-width next week. This simple adjustment gives my colony the upper hand in their defensive efforts without impeding their necessary comings and goings.

Varroa management takes centre stage now, with my first week of treatment showing promising results. The sticky monitoring board reveals a significant mite drop – confirmation that both the parasite pressure existed and that the treatment is working effectively. A quick, targeted inspection of just a few frames revealed eggs at the 2-3 day stage, providing the reassurance of queen presence without unnecessary disturbance to the colony.

Winter preparations have officially begun with the installation of a top feeder and the first substantial syrup feeding. This marks the beginning of a feeding regimen that will continue until approximately 20kg of supplementary stores have been provided – essential insurance against winter starvation. The entire hive configuration has been optimised for the coming months, with insulation plans ready for implementation once feeding concludes.

Nature's signals of seasonal change surround the apiary – fewer swallows overhead as they prepare for migration, my first European hornet sighting of the year, and the persistent song of grasshoppers in the parched grass. .

Find me on Instagram or by visiting beekeepersdiarypodcast.com. The community of listeners is growing worldwide, and I'd love for you to join this exploration of the fascinating world of honey bees through the changing seasons.

]]> The golden haze of late summer transforms the apiary landscape into a sea of beige, punctuated only by the occasional cowslip, ragwort, and thistle. Standing here on August 17th, the silence is almost deafening – a stark contrast to the vibrant buzz of high summer just weeks ago.

This pivotal moment in the beekeeping calendar brings unique challenges and essential tasks. As natural nectar sources dwindle, wasps become increasingly bold in their attempts to raid honey stores. I've begun the defensive preparations by reducing the hive entrance, with plans to narrow it further to a single bee-width next week. This simple adjustment gives my colony the upper hand in their defensive efforts without impeding their necessary comings and goings.

Varroa management takes centre stage now, with my first week of treatment showing promising results. The sticky monitoring board reveals a significant mite drop – confirmation that both the parasite pressure existed and that the treatment is working effectively. A quick, targeted inspection of just a few frames revealed eggs at the 2-3 day stage, providing the reassurance of queen presence without unnecessary disturbance to the colony.

Winter preparations have officially begun with the installation of a top feeder and the first substantial syrup feeding. This marks the beginning of a feeding regimen that will continue until approximately 20kg of supplementary stores have been provided – essential insurance against winter starvation. The entire hive configuration has been optimised for the coming months, with insulation plans ready for implementation once feeding concludes.

Nature's signals of seasonal change surround the apiary – fewer swallows overhead as they prepare for migration, my first European hornet sighting of the year, and the persistent song of grasshoppers in the parched grass. .

Find me on Instagram or by visiting beekeepersdiarypodcast.com. The community of listeners is growing worldwide, and I'd love for you to join this exploration of the fascinating world of honey bees through the changing seasons.

]]> D. Briggs. Buzzsprout-17690235 Mon, 18 Aug 2025 17:00:00 +0000 459 2 10 full false S2 Ep 9: Taking honey, varroa treatment starts. Winter prep begins. Today I talk about taking off a couple of supers, one for me and one left for the bees. Varroa treatment starts today, 6-8 weeks to go. Hive is now reconfigured for winter. One super under the brood box, ready to move back on top in the spring. 

]]> Today I talk about taking off a couple of supers, one for me and one left for the bees. Varroa treatment starts today, 6-8 weeks to go. Hive is now reconfigured for winter. One super under the brood box, ready to move back on top in the spring. 

]]> D. Briggs. Buzzsprout-17651357 Mon, 11 Aug 2025 09:00:00 +0000 397 2 9 full false S2 Ep 8: Bee investigates me, varroa considerations. An audio chat from beside the hive, varroa monitoring using CO2 and a bee has a good check on my bee suit. 

]]> An audio chat from beside the hive, varroa monitoring using CO2 and a bee has a good check on my bee suit. 

]]> D. Briggs. Buzzsprout-17571481 Sun, 27 Jul 2025 21:00:00 +0000 419 2 8 full false S2 Ep 7: Beekeeper’s diary update. Mid July ‘25. Adding supers, brood is booming. Mid summer check in. 

]]> Adding supers, brood is booming. Mid summer check in. 

]]> D. Briggs. 20c47a77-4317-4a27-a737-beae821ee59a Thu, 17 Jul 2025 19:19:31 +0000 268 2 7 full false S2 Ep 6: Ringlets, nectar and chilled bees. A hot visit to the hive to check on the new colony’s growth. Sweaty but productive. 

]]> A hot visit to the hive to check on the new colony’s growth. Sweaty but productive. 

]]> D. Briggs. aa0fd0a1-bc49-4231-8026-891b844744de Mon, 23 Jun 2025 19:03:53 +0000 349 2 6 full false S2 Ep 5: Brood increases nicely, nature sings above. A Sunday visit to the hive. Now expanding nicely, plenty of brood, stores are steady. Hoping to start collecting some nectar for my jars soon! 

]]> A Sunday visit to the hive. Now expanding nicely, plenty of brood, stores are steady. Hoping to start collecting some nectar for my jars soon! 

]]> D. Briggs. a9ff93da-b527-4501-8903-2e8c1b7f0bf0 Sun, 15 Jun 2025 15:21:05 +0000 307 2 5 full false S2 Ep 4: A listening meditation 2. Sounds from the hive 8th June 2025. Listen to the sounds of thousands of little feet scurry across the frames and drop pollen on the open mesh floor. Occasional squeaks and grumbles. I’ve got a new contact mic for absorbing these hidden and rarely heard sounds. 

]]> Listen to the sounds of thousands of little feet scurry across the frames and drop pollen on the open mesh floor. Occasional squeaks and grumbles. I’ve got a new contact mic for absorbing these hidden and rarely heard sounds. 

]]> D. Briggs. f5a188c3-3c28-410b-85dc-01879474d98c Sun, 08 Jun 2025 20:02:26 +0000 86 2 4 full false S2 Ep 3: First super on. The colony is now across the majority of brood frames. Time for the 1st super. Maybe some honey this year after all. Weird to be back at the beginning after so long. Enjoying the process. 

]]> The colony is now across the majority of brood frames. Time for the 1st super. Maybe some honey this year after all. Weird to be back at the beginning after so long. Enjoying the process. 

]]> D. Briggs. 4fea262e-46d8-4e11-a4da-a5bc6ddcf0ee Sat, 31 May 2025 12:00:00 +0000 275 2 3 full false S2 Ep 2: Settling in. First visit since installing the nuc. All looking good. Gradually expanding into the full hive. No supercedure cells, feeding underway. 

]]> First visit since installing the nuc. All looking good. Gradually expanding into the full hive. No supercedure cells, feeding underway. 

]]> D. Briggs. 98694e6a-a564-47ac-be10-d6f01cf29f1a Sun, 25 May 2025 14:04:27 +0000 199 2 2 full false S2 Ep 1: We’re back for 2025. Dusting ourselves off and ready to start again. A Nuc has arrived and I’ve installed the bees ready to grow onwards. Exciting to be back in action. 

]]> Dusting ourselves off and ready to start again. A Nuc has arrived and I’ve installed the bees ready to grow onwards. Exciting to be back in action. 

]]> D. Briggs. daa09577-8a82-4c83-85a3-1b1d3b5a73b5 Thu, 22 May 2025 16:11:15 +0000 287 2 1 full false Ep 16: Disaster. I’ve sadly lost both my colonies over winter, despite my best efforts and usual practices. Time to evaluate, dust myself off and rebuild. 

]]> I’ve sadly lost both my colonies over winter, despite my best efforts and usual practices. Time to evaluate, dust myself off and rebuild. 

]]> D. Briggs. 5cb7f392-9fda-4e0a-b20a-721bcc14ab27 Sun, 16 Feb 2025 20:28:51 +0000 271 1 16 full false Episode 15: Hefting, entrance clearing and perfecting creamed honey. I visited the bees before `Christmas to check on food, monitor the entrances and waffle about my new creamed/soft set honey. 

]]> I visited the bees before `Christmas to check on food, monitor the entrances and waffle about my new creamed/soft set honey. 

]]> D. Briggs. d79061fb-109e-4b74-a044-79233cd946e5 Mon, 23 Dec 2024 21:24:20 +0000 274 1 15 full false Episode 14: Storm Darragh check in. Stopped off at the apiary to check the bees hadn’t been blown over in the high winds. 

]]> Stopped off at the apiary to check the bees hadn’t been blown over in the high winds. 

]]> D. Briggs. a4eb8f41-9e79-46e3-b18b-20c193d96041 Sun, 08 Dec 2024 14:33:57 +0000 64 1 14 full false Episode 13: Winter check in, hefting and creaming honey. A rainy check in from the apiary. Checking for stores, clearing the entrance and some talk on creaming honey. 

]]> A rainy check in from the apiary. Checking for stores, clearing the entrance and some talk on creaming honey. 

]]> D. Briggs. e195171d-9ffd-426d-9629-49be9311bd2a Sun, 01 Dec 2024 16:14:27 +0000 290 1 13 full false Episode 12: Two last bee stings and final syrup feeds. An indignant talk ranging from unplanned bee venom therapy and final winter prep. 

]]> An indignant talk ranging from unplanned bee venom therapy and final winter prep. 

]]> D. Briggs. 34f957a2-674d-4b66-a357-49a4b3d57905 Mon, 04 Nov 2024 18:06:25 +0000 342 1 12 full false Episode 11: Red Kites and crunchy hay. Preparing the hives for winter. Nature observations on the hoof and a description of how I format my hives for winter. 

]]> Nature observations on the hoof and a description of how I format my hives for winter. 

]]> D. Briggs. 9e7bab8f-5d75-43a3-a08b-e480e63a9ad3 Sun, 27 Oct 2024 12:15:26 +0000 265 1 11 full false Episode 10: Wet bees, falling leaves and birds in the trees. Autumnal episode from a rainy field. Long tailed tits glean overhead. 

]]> Autumnal episode from a rainy field. Long tailed tits glean overhead. 

]]> D. Briggs. dc696abf-82f2-426b-a169-72d96a9873a2 Mon, 21 Oct 2024 19:33:15 +0000 283 1 10 full false Episode 9: Grey wagtail, more feeding and the first frost. Beekeeping podcast: talk of feeding the bees, local nature including a Grey Wagtail sighting. Buzzard soars overhead. 

]]> Beekeeping podcast: talk of feeding the bees, local nature including a Grey Wagtail sighting. Buzzard soars overhead. 

]]> D. Briggs. 5f4eabc2-685a-40f9-9210-530e9287449c Sun, 13 Oct 2024 15:11:10 +0000 321 1 9 full false Episode 8: Southern Migrant Hawker, nature watch and feeding chat. Time for a mindful moment at the end. D. Briggs. 8a3304d7-3cf6-4a07-9a98-a9256c4fc5e7 Sun, 06 Oct 2024 14:26:29 +0000 384 1 8 full false Episode 7: Windy field, hay and feeding. A chat about Green Woodpeckers, wasps, hornets, winter feeding and hay. 

]]> A chat about Green Woodpeckers, wasps, hornets, winter feeding and hay. 

]]> D. Briggs. c82fd216-8d16-441c-ab87-99ca9e7c3096 Sun, 29 Sep 2024 21:08:08 +0000 346 1 7 full false Episode 6: The hornets return. The swallows depart. Quick trip to feed the bees, finish varroa treatment and curse at hornets. 

]]> Quick trip to feed the bees, finish varroa treatment and curse at hornets. 

]]> D. Briggs. 44563f0d-95ce-4394-9985-192517ab7fe8 Sun, 22 Sep 2024 18:38:13 +0000 228 1 6 full false Episode 5: A listening meditation. Sounds from within the beehive. Headphones on, eyes closed. Bathe in the sounds from with a beehive. A microphone is placed at the top of a beehive and left to soak the sounds up. An aural meditation. 

]]> Headphones on, eyes closed. Bathe in the sounds from with a beehive. A microphone is placed at the top of a beehive and left to soak the sounds up. An aural meditation. 

]]> D. Briggs. 69780205-8f62-4eed-9b44-8e4486d8e5fb Sat, 14 Sep 2024 18:31:14 +0000 308 1 5 full false Episode 4: Hot honey and the start of feeding. Join me for a chat at the apiary. Hive updates, hot honey and the start of feeding for winter. 

]]> Join me for a chat at the apiary. Hive updates, hot honey and the start of feeding for winter. 

]]> D. Briggs. d74e74ca-580d-4cb7-874e-cb98ea8024ff Sat, 14 Sep 2024 18:25:47 +0000 463 1 4 full false Episode 3: Hornets and social calls. Latest visit to my apiary. Spotted a native Hornet hunting around the hives. Stay to the end to hear some amazing social calls from within the hive. 

]]> Latest visit to my apiary. Spotted a native Hornet hunting around the hives. Stay to the end to hear some amazing social calls from within the hive. 

]]> D. Briggs. 0179c6b9-b5a0-41fd-a098-7ab63941c555 Sat, 07 Sep 2024 16:24:29 +0000 443 1 3 full false Episode 2: Apiary catch up and equipment chat. Latest visit to my out apiary and a chat about what equipment I prefer. 

]]> Latest visit to my out apiary and a chat about what equipment I prefer. 

]]> D. Briggs. 0106717e-e8b2-4b01-8c16-8112f8dd12d3 Sun, 01 Sep 2024 18:18:40 +0000 269 1 2 full false Episode 1: Introductions. A quick check in from beside the hives. I plan to have regular audio diary updates from the apiary as the weeks and seasons pass. Instagram: Br1gsy. 

]]> A quick check in from beside the hives. I plan to have regular audio diary updates from the apiary as the weeks and seasons pass. Instagram: Br1gsy. 

]]> D. Briggs. 2edb44f0-3032-4a2f-a701-f5867012df02 Mon, 26 Aug 2024 14:26:07 +0000 216 1 1 full false