Whoo hoo!!!  Natural beekeeping guru MICHAEL BUSH visited us on the OBX on Saturday, March 28… 167 beekeepers swarmed the Ramada Plaza conference room to reap the rewards of hearing him speak.   The Outer Banks BeeKeepers’ Guild thanks EVERYONE involved in making this happen, and we hope this is the start of bringing many other great beekeeping events to our area in the future!  Special thanks to Michael Bush for sharing his knowledge, to all of our volunteers (and treat bakers!), to Michael Beswick (superb photographer/videographer), the Ramada Plaza, and our raffle prize donors… The Home Depot, Walmart, Nadeau Farms, Brew Thru, Hollow Daze Soap, Harris Teeter, Julie Moye, Outer Banks Craft Distilling, The Village Craftsmen, Milk Street Soap, Zillie’s, The Mothervine, and O. B. Hive!

As a member of the Outer Banks BeeKeepers’ Guild, you also will have joined the North Carolina State BeeKeepers’ Association (NCSBA).  The NCSBA holds conferences every spring and summer – these conferences are a great opportunity to increase your beekeeping knowledge and network of beekeeping friends!

This summer’s conference to be held in Winston-Salem will celebrate a special event… the 100th anniversary of the NCSBA!  Advanced registration is now open at www.ncbeekeepers.org.  The conferences highlight wonderful speakers and informative workshops, and you can also check out agendas from past conferences on their website.

A great quick video (7 minutes) to get you introduced and warmed up for March 18…If you haven’t registered yet, you still have time… But do it soon, as seating is limited!

Mother Nature is fickle. Some years she rouses the earth’s Spring song early, others she lingers in slumber awhile. What will 2017 bring?

In years past, I had been half-heartedly keeping track of some signs as I noticed them, and last year I was purposely more vigilant because I wanted to know better in order to prepare the hives for “full swing” when the time was right. It seems that while the OBX qualifies as “eastern NC” on official charts I have seen giving bloom timelines, we still differ and are slightly off from other locations, even from the mainland which is only a few miles over water.

I am posting this in hopes that you might also find it helpful in determining when to ready for the Spring and Fall nectar flows, and when to possibly expect times of dearth. It is in no way inclusive of all pollen & nectar plants, (includes some that are not bee-beneficial) and does include things I just wanted to be aware of (Gosh Darn Yellow Flies!!). This year I also intend to make note of not only when plants begin to bloom but also when they are finished, so as to have a full picture of the number of days the bees can harvest. If you happen to have any records of your own from years past, please feel free to share and I will add them to the chart!

Denise Deacon, 252.722.3118

The Beaufort County Beekeepers Assoc. is offering beginner beekeeping classes soon in Washington, NC… If you plan to attend and want to carpool, please let the group know!

Thanks to Guild member Howard Wilson for the following info:

“mongrelbees.com is selling local/feral treatment-free nucs in late April for $165.00 in Richmond, VA if anyone is interested. Don’t know how many he will have but I am on his list for one, and can pick up more.”

If you are not yet familiar with a nucleus (nuc) hive, it is a “mini-hive” which can be used to start a hive.  It usually consisting of five or so frames containing open and capped brood, pollen and nectar/honey, a laying queen and bees.  Be sure to check if the nuc frames are consistent with your intended equipment (deep or medium supers/boxes).

If interested, first contact Mongrel Bees to find out availability, then contact Howard at hwilsonthird@gmail.com to arrange him also picking up yours!

Shenandoah Valley Beekeepers will host a workshop given by Solomon Parker, March 11,  the weekend prior to our Michael Bush event.  At least one OBBG Member will be attending.  If you are interested in carpooling, contact Guild President Denise Deacon at 252-722-3118.  You may view presentations by Solomon Parker on YouTube here: Expansion Model Beekeeping – Solomon Parker – Humboldt County Beekeepers Association May 2016 by Treatment-Free Beekeeping. Enjoy this sunny day!

by Debbie Lawson

Looking through your supplies to see what needs to be replaced this year?
Ready to start beekeeping and haven’t ordered equipment yet?
Now’s a great time, as our area rep for one of the country’s largest bee supply companies, Brushy Mountain, is our next guest speaker, Etienne Nadeau!

Etienne is also the President of the Elizabeth City bee group, Beekeepers of the Albemarle, and will be with us on Wednesday, February 8, at our meeting at the KDH Library at 7:00 p.m to talk about nucs (nucleus hives).  He will bring any orders you need with him to that meeting (saves you on equipment shipping costs, which can be high!!).

So… Have a look at their website:
brushymountainbeefarm.com

Then, if you’d like to order, contact Etienne ASAP at:
(252) 619-7308 or
etnadeau@gmail.com

G’day!

Denise Deacon
252.722.3118

Greetings!

Our new year starts off with a “BANG” from a power tool!

When:   Wednesday, January 11, 2017
Time:  Arrive anytime after 6:30 p.m., we’ll being at 7:00 p.m.
Where:  Creative Cabinets, 904 W. Airstrip Road, KDH

Please join the Outer Banks BeeKeepers’ Guild, as we get together to…

* Learn how to make your own frame jig (those handy, time-saving devices used to construct frames).

* Put together hive bodies (supers) and frames.

* Learn about Denise’s new obsession – the “horizontal hive.”  Will have one in pieces and one already constructed to show what it’s all about.

* Make New Beekeeping Friends!

* Also at this meeting, Bobby Dupree will show us the swarm traps he & Bill Farrell built last year, and has kindly offered on a future Saturday for anyone that wants to get in on it, to go to his woodworking shop and build your own!  He will pick up the material prior, so it will just be the cost of wood and your own time & labor that day :).  (If you can’t attend this January meeting, I will send an email prior to that Saturday swarm-trap build so that you’ll have the details.)

* January is Dues-uary… Please bring $30 cash/check if you’d like to join the Guild!

New to Beekeeping?
Experienced beek but not familiar with the Guild?
Just want to know more to see if you’re up for keeping a bunch of stinging insects in close proximity?
Been to a Guild meeting once before but not since?
Just want to hang out with other beekeepers?

NO MATTER… All are Welcome!!!

OK – stay safe if we get this snow this weekend, so that we’ll see you next Wednesday!!  As always, please feel free to contact me if any questions, comments, or suggestions.

Denise Deacon
252.722.3118

**** Many thanks to Julie Moye’s brother, Johnny, for the use of his cabinet shop for this January meeting!!!