A TASTY TREAT

‘by Lenore Andrew: Milltown Cross, PIE.I.

Insects form a large part winter and early spring native unavailable. So, what could a

. . ' t; late

however in fall, insect populations are relatively lucky skunk find more delightful than some hives of honeybees that are being kept year round!

After trapping a few pesky skunks last fall in our apiary, all

seemed well until late January when skunk trails were to - guess where! During winter many of the bees die other natural causes; consequently there are lots of dead bees around outside the hives. These bees served not only to attract the skunk(s) but also seemed to.satisfy his hunger without him bothering the colonies.

Later in spring and in early fall skunks can become a serious pest to the bee colonies. They can drastically reduce the number of bees which the beekeeper counts on to collect nectar. As well, by disturbing a colony night after night the bees may develop nasty tempers which are displayed to all intruders including the beekeeper.

How can a skunk survive a foraging attempt on a hive much less eat the bees, you wonder? Scientists have studied this and found that skunks can have hundreds of stings in their mouths and on their heads and bodies and yet they still come back for more!

How do these creatures accomplish meal preparation? The bees ar

found leading from old age and

y simply e .

go to the hive during dusk to daylight hours when the all inSLde and begin pawing at the entrance. This of course brings forth numerous angry bees. Not in the least frightened, the skunk rol the bees with his paws to make them more manageable before gobbling t

epers on P.E.I.

ls

hem up.

eke

5 who must also

While outsmarting a skunk is a nuisance to some be we are more fortunate than beekeepers in other province deal with bears.

Skunks are not the only creatures which take advantage 0 bees surrounding wintering colonies. Chickadees in the area round for a feaSt as well.

f the gather

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SLIDE CONTEST WINNERS. The May meeting of the society featured the showing of the slides submitted to the annual nature photography contest. Entries were judged and prizes presented by local photog- rapher George Wotton. First prize was awarded to Winifred Cairns for a picture of drooping sedges. Second went to Mrs. Mary Cairns of Lower Freetown for a swallowtail butterfly. Anne Landry placed third with a shot of a killdeer at the nest. Fourth was a winter scene at Springton taken by Winifred Cairns.