This report summarises key messages and practical advice from the recent webinar delivered by Stewart Spinks of the Norfolk Honey Company, focusing on spring colony management, swarm control, and post-winter recovery. The recording has been emailed to YBKA members- this is accessible for two weeks.
Understanding Spring Build-Up in Honey Bee Colonies
One of the central messages from the webinar was clear: spring does not begin when we start inspecting, but much earlier inside the hive. Colonies begin expanding shortly after the winter solstice, and by early March, many are already transitioning from winter bees to spring bees.
Stewart highlighted that:
Colony growth accelerates rapidly as day length increases and pollen becomes available.
Early pollen sources such as goat willow play a crucial role in stimulating brood rearing.
Even during cold spells, colonies may continue developing internally, meaning beekeepers can quickly fall behind if inspections are delayed.
This reinforces a key takeaway for YBKA members:
Spring management is about anticipation, not reaction.
The Hidden Risk: Congestion and Early Swarming
A recurring theme was how easily colonies become congested in early spring, often without beekeepers realising.
Stewart explained that congestion can arise from:
Excess winter stores or overfeeding fondant
Limited brood space, especially in smaller hive types
Heavy pollen intake blocking brood cells
Highly productive queens rapidly filling frames
When brood space becomes restricted, colonies may trigger swarming much earlier than expected, sometimes as early as late March or early April.
He emphasised:
If the queen has nowhere to lay, the colony will make its own decision and that decision is usually to swarm.
For Yorkshire beekeepers, where spring weather can fluctuate, this warning is particularly important. Colonies may appear stable one week and be preparing to swarm the next.
Feeding Strategy: Less Can Be More
A particularly useful insight for less experienced beekeepers concerned fondant feeding in late winter.
Stewart cautioned against overfeeding:
Continuous fondant feeding can result in frames full of unused stores, reducing space for brood.
This directly contributes to congestion and increases swarm risk.
His approach is simple and disciplined:
Feed small amounts only when necessary
Encourage bees to use existing stores to free up brood space
This aligns with good practice for sustainable beekeeping and supports stronger spring build-up.
First Inspections: Timing and Purpose
First inspections typically take place:
Around early to mid-March in favourable conditions
Later in colder years, sometimes early April
However, Stewart stressed that inspections should be:
Weather-dependent, not calendar-driven
Focused on assessing colony strength, brood pattern, and space availability
The aim is not to “check bees” but to make informed management decisions early.
Creating Space: The Key to Spring Management
The most consistent message throughout the webinar was the importance of managing space effectively.
Practical strategies include:
Replacing old or damaged frames
Removing excess stores where appropriate
Adding brood boxes early in strong colonies
Ensuring sufficient laying space for the queen
Even small adjustments, such as replacing one or two frames, can significantly reduce pressure within the colony.
Double Brooding: A Proactive Strategy
For beekeepers managing strong colonies, Stewart advocates early double brooding:
A second brood box with foundation is added without a queen excluder
This allows colonies to expand naturally upward
It provides additional brood space and helps prevent congestion
This method is particularly useful in areas with strong nectar flows such as oilseed rape, although its application will vary across Yorkshire depending on local forage availability.
Swarm Control Through Splitting Techniques
Rather than relying solely on artificial swarm methods, Stewart shared practical splitting strategies that align with natural colony behaviour.
1. Simplified Split Board Method
The original queen is placed in a new brood box
Flying bees return to her
A single queen cell is left in the original colony
This creates flexibility, allowing the beekeeper to:
Replace queens
Increase colony numbers
Prevent swarming
2. Two Nucs from One Parent Colony
A particularly effective technique for small-scale beekeepers:
The parent colony is moved
Two nucs are placed in its original position
Flying bees distribute between the nucs
Benefits include:
No need for multiple apiaries
Reliable queen rearing from swarm cells
Controlled increase in colony numbers
However, Stewart cautioned that:
Honey yields may be reduced when splitting colonies
Careful selection of breeding stock is essential to avoid propagating swarm-prone traits
Queen Cells: What to Look For
An insightful section focused on identifying quality queen cells.
A good queen cell should be:
Well-shaped and proportionate
Neatly tapered
Positioned safely within the comb
Undamaged
Avoid:
Overly elongated or irregular cells
Cells that have been damaged during inspection
Cells in awkward positions that may prevent successful emergence
This level of detail is particularly valuable for members developing their queen-rearing skills.
Varroa and Colony Health After Winter
Winter losses were discussed, with reports of some beekeepers experiencing up to 70% colony loss, often linked to varroa and associated viruses.
Key recommendations:
Maintain a consistent varroa treatment strategy
Rotate treatments to avoid resistance
Monitor colony health visually rather than relying solely on counts
Act quickly when symptoms appear
Stewart’s pragmatic approach prioritises colony welfare over ideology, a useful perspective in ongoing debates about treatment-free beekeeping.
Final Reflections for YBKA Members
This webinar offered a clear and practical message:
Successful spring beekeeping is about reading the colony, managing space, and acting early.
For Yorkshire beekeepers, where weather patterns can delay inspections and compress the season, the following priorities stand out:
Stay ahead of colony growth
Avoid unnecessary feeding
Create space before bees demand it
Use splits as a tool, not just a solution
Remain flexible and responsive to conditions
Above all, Stewart encouraged beekeepers to enjoy the process:
Spring is not only the most demanding time in the apiary, but also the most rewarding.