WSBA Newsletter - May 2022
A collection of recent events, upcoming opportunities, informational articles, and points of discussion. You are receiving this newsletter compliments of the West Sound Beekeepers Association because we sincerely want to share our love of bees and useful information with you. For more information visit our website: http://www.westsoundbees.org/ or join the group's Facebook page at West Sound Beekeepers Association (WSBA) Group Page! Link to the Washington State Beekeepers Association newsletter: www.wasba.org. Feel free to share the newsletter or unsubscribe at any time. (Links at the bottom).
2022 Board Members & Appointed Positions
Treasurer: John Sasser, Treasurer@westsoundbees.org
Secretary & Newsletter Editor: Lauren Funk, Secretary@westsoundbees.org
Trustee A (-2024): Kirsten Johnston, TrusteeA@westsoundbees.org
Trustee B (-2022): Jason Sanko, TrusteeB@westsoundbees.org
Trustee C (-2023): Bob Finley, TrusteeC@westsoundbees.org
Apiary Director: David Leger, Apiary@westsoundbees.org
Education Director: Sandy Fanara, Education@westsoundbees.org
IT Director: Mike Stalnaker, Webmaster@westsoundbees.org
Volunteer & Mentorship Coordinator, Deborah Schmidt, Volunteer@westsoundbees.org
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WSBA CALENDAR
UPCOMING CLASSES, MEETINGS, AND INFORMATION
- Saturdays, 10am-12pm - Apiary days for WSBA members.
- Tuesday, May 17, 7pm - Monthly membership meeting. Online via Zoom. Login info below.
- Wednesday, June 1st, 8th, and 15th, 6pm - Apprentice class meetings. Virtual via Zoom. Contact Sandy Fanara for more info.
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Message from our President
Gordon Cromwell
May is a somewhat confusing month for beekeepers in the inland Pacific Northwest. The primary Spring nectar/pollen flow has nearly ceased, and yet bee populations are rapidly expanding. This is also the beginning of swarm season. Hive inspections may show low food stores and supplemental sugar syrup feeding may be necessary. The growth rates of packages, nucs, and full size hives will be different and will lead to varied decision options. Attending Saturday Apiary sessions will be certainly helpful.
On a lighter note, the trailing blackberry (Dewberry) Rubus ursinus is starting to flower and is a good nectar source. Himalayan berries make there appearance in June. Also, Scotch Broom is beginning to flower and gives us our “Cheeto” bees. When the honey bee enters the flower for nectar, pollen is explosively released, coating the bee in heavy orange pollen. This is hard on honey bees but easier on Bumblebees.
Due to a combination of factors, we will remain on Zoom for our May meeting and enjoy discussions about Spring management and Apiary activities.
 
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This month's membership meeting is on
Tuesday, May 17th at 7pm
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Apiary Report
David Leger, Apiary Director
Apiary days for members have started back up - Saturdays from 10am-12pm until fall.
We have an excess of equipment at the apiary and we will be selling off a lot of boxes and two of the AZ hives. Look in the members section of the website for what's available.
Club nucs have been slow to build up with this wet spring weather but some are ready to go and the others will be ready soon.
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