Cherry harvest

Posted by Jon on Jun 5, 2010 in Beekeeping, Hornets, Wildlife | 0 comments

With all the rain and the sun that we’ve had this year, our cherry harvest has been our largest yet. We’ve picked our fill and our pigs have enjoyed bucket loads but the trees are still full of over ripe cherries. Walking nearby, the trees are humming loudly – alive with the thousands of bees now feasting on the fruit.

Our hives are all within easy reach of the trees and bees can be seen coming in from all directions. They are unable to split the skin of the fruit themselves (unlike wasps who possess cutting jaws), but as soon as the skin is split by another insect or as in our case, too much water, they are quickly on the scene to suck up the juices particularly in this hot June weather.

It’s fascinating to consider just how many creatures these trees support from the cherries on the ground to the birds and bees high in the branches.  Unfortunately though, they attract unwelcome guests too….an asian hornet, grrrr – we now need to find the nest.

Asian Hornet on the cherry