Episode 1 of this series was shown on BBC4 on 14th April, 2014 and is available on the BBC iPlayer until 8th May. If you have a slow connection I suggest you download the programme and watch later.
The programme description below is (from the iPlayer website).
“Martha Kearney’s year gets off to a bad start when unseasonal snow in spring threatens to kill the bee colonies she keeps in her garden in Suffolk. With help from a master beekeeper Martha feeds her bees and takes one of the hives to a wildflower meadow at a neighbour’s house along with two brand new hives.
She discovers the intricate hierarchy within the bee colony and learns how the organisation of the hive has become a metaphor for human society. At a London school she learns the secrets of urban bees’ success even while bees in the country as a whole are in decline. The episode ends with three new hives established on a wildflower meadow, ready to start producing classic British wildflower honey.”
Some excellent photography includes film of a queen laying eggs. Martha Kearney has as her mentor a master beekeeper and together they provides a good commentary of progress within the hive.
Well worth watching.
The Wonder of Bees with Martha Kearney – Episode 1
