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Episode 2

Series following broadcaster Martha Kearney through her beekeeping year. As spring arrives, Martha witnesses the growth of the colony and watches as bee larvae hatch out.

Martha discovers a bee with deformed wing virus in one of the hives she has set up on a Suffolk wildflower meadow. With the help of a master beekeeper, she treats the hive for verroa mite. Britain's leading bee scientist explains the role of verroa in the decline of bees throughout the country.

As spring arrives, Martha witnesses the growth of the colony and watches as bee larvae hatch out. She investigates the science behind the decline of the honey bee and examines evidence that pesticides may be to blame. Back at her cottage, she tackles a colony of angry bees by replacing their queen with a more mild-mannered individual ordered online and delivered through the post, and she meets the archbishop of Canterbury to talk about his family's love of beekeeping and why he told the bees about his girlfriends.

30 minutes

Clip

Music Played

  • Penguin Cafe Orchestra

    Chartered Flight

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Martha Kearney
Series Producer Tom Sheahan
Executive Producer Chris Shaw
Executive Producer Emma Read
Executive Producer Clare Paterson
Production Manager Emma Wood
Sound Recordist Tom Curry

Broadcasts