Bee research in Sydney to be published – free public talk

The two year research project into what native bees eat in Sydney’s community gardens is to be published.   Hear it from the researcher, Tanya Latty; here’s where and when: Hello Everyone, First off, I’d like to thank you  all for allowing us to conduct research in your community garden. The data we have collected over the last two summer has been invaluable. I’m happy to announce that I will be presenting the results of our research at two free public talks... Read More

Do stingless bees go to live next door?

Here’s a short Q and A between some native bee hive owners and the Bee Whisperer, Tim Heard: Hi, Tim My friends S and G have one of your hives and it’s fine. G has put an empty hive resting above that hive for over a year hoping those in the hive below would populate it but he doesn’t observe any to and froing there. I wonder if you have any advice for us so we can get the little critters into the empty one, please, Tim? Thanks, Michael We received this reply... Read More

Is climate our dictator?

I’ve been walking the streets of Chippendale, reading, and thinking about my life, my children, friends and all that I love. And now I’ve written an article asking, Is climate our dictator? What do you think? I’d like to hear from you if you have a moment. Thanks, Michael  Read More

Sustainablity tip – how to harvest stingless bee honey

Honey harvest Michael Strelan runs his own web tv station, Myecotv. Michael has just made this beautiful 8 minute video called, Honey Love, showing how to harvest stingless bee honey. The images of the bees, their hive, their honey and industry bring me as much succour as does the unusual light taste of their honey – as it’s about 70% water it’s very light and elegant to taste. The vid shows something vital; anyone can harvest native been hives or split them,... Read More

To have bees or not to have bees . . .

What bees give us and what we’re losing as we kill them with our ‘culture’  Read More

Chippendale honey harvest

Honey harvested yesterday, 16 Oct 13, from my Chippendale native stingless bee hive Myself and a friend, Tony, anticipating the harvest     Tim and I looking at the honey-full top box of the hive Yesterday we harvested honey from my native stingless bee hive and it’s in the photo above. The Australian expert on native stingless bees, Tim Heard, harvested the honey and here are some photos of Tim, his mate, Tony, some of my friends with similar hives and our gathering... Read More

Native bee attracting plants

Guest Post by Maree McCarthy   NO. 1 RULE: KEEP THEIR ENVIRONMENT POISON-FREE! (Remember – they are insects!) NO. 2 RULE: PRESERVE BUSHLAND (Biodiversity is the key!) Allowing hoofed animals access, and removing dead wood and trees will soon wipe them out.   Here is a list of plants to feed and attract native bees. • Austromyrtus dulcis (Midyim Berry) 30cm x 1m. Shade or Sun. Attractive pink new growth and small fruit that tastes like custard and nutmeg. • Backhousia... Read More

Native Bees, Wildlife and Native Plants . . . so what’s in it for me?

  Teddy Bear Bee Guest Post:      Maree Mc Carthy –  … supporting earth to sing her songs!   In an island continent such as Australia, with soils and organisms evolved distinctly separate from Europe, its great to watch the local ecosystems and see how we can ‘fit in’ and call this place ‘home’. The wonderful part is that native plants, insects and all the other things that have evolved together over an amazingly long time around here are really... Read More

Honey harvest at my place coming up

  Anticipation builds here and among those who have bee hives made from the hive that came here four years ago.   In a few weeks we’ll harvest the honey from my hive.  Tim Heard, the designer of the hive, is coming from Brisbane to show me and some other hive owners how to harvest the honey.   I’ll have photos, a video and a ‘how to do it’ of the honey harvest on this blog soon after the honey harvest.   Am planning a little dish to... Read More

Solitary bee nesting hives appear in Chippendale street

Solitary bee hive, Myrtle St, Chippendale, NSW Last night two solitary bee hives appeared outside my house on the little pergola built to train up the native raspberry bushes there.  One has a cute metal roof and the other is also cute – a  bundle of sticks. Bundle of sticks hive Solitary bee nesting box The sign  beside it intrigues me, “Solitary bee nesting box”. And, “Please do not move or disturb.  Babies are (hopefully) sleeping inside.” More... Read More