Would members please note that reports are coming in of colonies eating up stores already provided for the winter. It is recommended therefore, that you give them a heft to ensure that they have enough stores to go through the winter and top them up if required. Whilst the bees are busy on the ivy it should not be solely relied upon to provide a sufficient quantity of liquid feed during the winter, due to its tendency to crystallize which the bees may have difficulty in accessing during the cold winter months.