The Buzz on Beekeeping in Scotland: Challenges and Trends
Exploring the World of Scottish Beekeeping: A Closer Look
For Environmental Enthusiasts and Beekeeping Aficionados Alike
Amidst the urban landscape of Glasgow, eight stories above, Ed O’Brien's 'girls' are getting ready for winter in their cozy, well-insulated homes. Ed's beehives, which can be found throughout the city in gardens, parks, and even on top of the Barclay’s Bank building, are far from traditional.
Unlike the tranquil Cotswolds, where David Beckham tends to his hives in his Netflix documentary series, urban beekeeping in Glasgow has become a trending pastime. Inspired by lockdown, Beckham's Cotswold apiary has already produced numerous jars of sweet honey.
However, for Ed's bees, including 'Bucky' queens known for their mild-mannered nature, this year's honey harvest has faced challenges. Despite a successful May and June, the bees suffered in July and August when temperatures stayed below 19°C, hindering their search for lime tree nectar.
On the bright side, according to the British Beekeepers' Association (BBKA), the unusual weather this year has led to the creation of distinct honey flavors.
But climate's impact on honey is just one of the challenges faced by beekeepers in Scotland. They contend with an array of issues, from the intricacies of hive life to invasive species, climate change, pesticide use, and diseases.
In the tranquil orchards near Longniddry, and at their home near Musselburgh, beekeeper Colin Mackay and his wife, Deborah, tend to ten hives. What may seem like a gentle hobby is intense both physically and emotionally. As they prepare their bees for winter, there is a constant worry about their survival until spring.
Summer, usually a busy time of collecting honey and managing sudden swarms, also brought concerns about diseases that threatened millions of honey bees. The discovery of American Foulbrood (AFB) and European Foulbrood (EFB) in the East Lothian area was a severe blow, leading to the destruction of infected hives.
Scottish beekeepers are also dealing with the effects of pesticides, causing the deaths of hundreds of thousands of honey bees. Disease outbreaks are a concern, even for experienced beekeepers. The dedication and care required are often underestimated by newcomers inspired by environmental concerns or the desire to learn a traditional skill.
Despite the challenges, beekeeping has gained popularity, even reaching the Scottish Parliament’s Members Garden, where wax from the hives is used for official seals. As of June last year, there were over 3,000 registered beekeepers, looking after more than 40,000 colonies in 4,400 apiaries.
While this might seem promising, the Scottish Government's Honey Bee Health Strategy warns that in Scotland and the UK, honey bees are not in decline; instead, their numbers are increasing due to high demand and the import of honey bee colonies and queens.
Beekeeping's growth has raised concerns about the impact on wild native pollinators and fragile ecosystems, cross-transmission of pests and diseases, and competition for food resources with wild pollinators.
New pests and diseases, such as the Small Hive Beetle and the Asian hornet, are also emerging threats. The Asian hornet's northward expansion is especially alarming, as one can consume up to 50 honey bees a day.
In the midst of these challenges, beekeepers like Andrew Abrahams on the island of Colonsay are playing a crucial role in preserving genetically significant black bee colonies. They have been protected by law from importing any bee other than the Apis mellifera mellifera.
Beekeeping's resurgence is a positive trend, but it comes with the responsibility of properly caring for these creatures. As Ed O’Brien remarks, "They are like any livestock: if they aren’t properly looked after, they die."
Despite the challenges and the perception that nature is now primarily experienced through screens, Scottish beekeepers remain committed to their vital role in protecting these essential pollinators.
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