Early Sources of Pollen in New Hampshire

It was a cool day today on the seacoast of New Hampshire but some of our bees were flying in Portsmouth, Rye and Hampton Falls.  Our foragers were bringing in a good amount of pollen that will be used to help the hive drive up the population in the next few months in preparation of the early summer nectar flow.

The hives in Hampton Falls and Portsmouth were brining in a great array of pollens that ranged in color from green to bright yellow while some of the coastal hives were bringing in more green/grey pollens.   It can be a challenge to identify the different types of pollen but in the end they serve the same purpose.  Pollen is the key protein source for the hive.  Without it the hive would not be able to function and the queens production of new brood would be limited.    

Many people make the mistake of thinking that the only sources of pollen for honey bees and other pollinators are flowers, which are very scarce at this time of the year in New England. Sure we have crocus, dew drops, and some hearty dandelions blooming but these flowers are only a small portion of the pollen diet for our bees.  The key sources of pollen at this time of year are the trees.  Every one of our apiaries is surrounded by maples and willows that are producing huge amounts of buds at this time of year. These buds contain the pollens that our bees are working and carrying back to the hive in great abundance.  Willows are the earliest bloomers in our apiaries and bees can be seen working these trees in earnest on warm days in March.  The maple around our hives are also starting to flower and will do so throughout the next few months.  The various maples that surround our apiaries are also an important source of early nectar that the bees will use to restore their honey reserves.  In most cases, this nectar is used up prior to the honey harvest.  

Look under our Plants for Pollinators sections of the website to learn more about the trees that honey bees and other pollinators work in the New England region.