After a long and very wet winter, spring is one of the most important periods in the beekeeping calendar. It's when the bee colonies begin to expand rapidly, queens increase egg laying, and worker bees head out in search of the season's first sources of nectar and pollen.
For beekeepers across North Yorkshire and the UK, spring 2026 has been an interesting one. The season began with a mix of cool mornings and bright, settled weather. As temperatures rose, early spring flowers like oil seed rape, blackthorn and fruit blossom near our hives provided forage for growing colonies. These early pollen sources are essential, helping to support brood rearing and colony development after winter.
One of the most notable features of this spring has been the amount of dry, sunny weather. Compared with a typical Yorkshire spring, there have been many days when bees have been able to fly and forage uninterrupted. Bees generally perform best when temperatures are above 12°C, winds are light and conditions remain dry. Long spells of settled weather allow colonies to gather more nectar and pollen, helping them build strength ahead of the main honey flow.
The exceptionally warm weather seen during May has also encouraged rapid colony growth. Across much of the UK, temperatures reached record levels for the month, creating ideal flying conditions for honey bees and other pollinators.
However, warm weather alone does not guarantee a bumper honey crop. Bees also depend on a steady supply of nectar-producing plants. Extended dry periods can sometimes reduce nectar production in some flowers, particularly if soils become very dry. As always, a balance of sunshine and rainfall tends to produce the best results.
One challenge that warm spring weather often brings is swarming. As colonies grow rapidly and hive populations increase, bees naturally begin preparing to reproduce by creating a new queen and dividing the colony. A large swarm can be an impressive sight, with thousands of bees gathering in a cloud before settling nearby. As beekeepers, we've needed to monitor our colonies carefully during these warm periods to make sure hives have enough space and don't lose any colonies to swarms.
Swarms have certainly kept us busy this spring. At this time of year, we often receive calls from members of the public asking for help collecting swarms that have settled - often in unexpected places. This spring, we've retrieved swarms from the roof of a shopping centre, inside a hollow tree, beneath a van, and from several sheds and outbuildings. While a swarm can look alarming, honey bees are usually at their most docile during this stage and we always safely rehome them into new hives.
At Buzz & Bloom, our colonies have come through winter well and have been making the most of the pleasant weather. The hives have been busy from early spring onwards, with strong populations and plenty of activity on warm days.
While the main honey season is still ahead of us, the signs so far have been encouraging. If favourable conditions continue into summer, we are hopeful that 2026 could prove to be an excellent year for both our bees and our honey harvest.
We'll continue to share updates from the apiary throughout the season.