Continuing story · 1 report

Northern Ireland 2025/26 winter bee losses

Survey participants lost 130 of 570 honey bee colonies over winter 2025/26. Losses fell, but conflicting percentages and uncertain long-term trends temper the improvement.

First aired October 28, 2026 at 12:49 PM UTCLatest aired October 28, 2026 at 12:49 PM UTC

DevelopingNext check Oct 29: Clarification of the 23% versus 24% loss rate, the current survey's calculation and sample comparability, and any specific evidence tying 2025/26 weather to losses.

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Update 1Oct 28 12:49 UTC130 bee colonies lost: Northern Ireland’s better winter still took a heavy toll

The story so far

Update 1Oct 28 12:49 UTC
130 bee colonies lost: Northern Ireland’s better winter still took a heavy toll
Survey participants lost 130 of 570 honey bee colonies over winter 2025/26. Losses fell, but conflicting percentages and uncertain long-term trends temper the improvement.

History

Oct 28 UTC
Opened1 report

Who's involved

Organizations

Agri-Food and Biosciences Institutefacility in Belfast, United Kingdom1 report

Places

BorçkaBorçka, Black Sea Region, Turkey1 report
Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland, UK1 report

Every outlet we read on this story

29 sources12 outlets

afbini.gov.uk9First
1. First reported Oct 27 12:00 UTC
2. Beekeepers in Northern Ireland lost fewer colonies last winter, new AFBI survey shows | Agri-Food and Biosciences InstituteOct 27 UTC
3. Publications | Agri-Food and Biosciences InstituteOct 27 UTC
4. Bee health | Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute
5. Honeybee Husbandry Survey winter 25/26 | Agri-Food and Biosciences InstituteOct 27 UTC
6. AFBI online bee husbandry survey launched | Agri-Food and Biosciences InstituteApr 19 UTC
7. Honeybee husbandry survey winter 12/13 | Agri-Food and Biosciences InstituteJan 1 UTC
8. Publications | Agri-Food and Biosciences InstituteOct 27 UTC
9. Honeybee husbandry survey winter 10/11 | Agri-Food and Biosciences InstituteJan 1 UTC
10. Honeybee husbandry survey winter 09/10 | Agri-Food and Biosciences InstituteJan 1 UTC
nationalbeeunit.com5
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairsdaera-ni.gov.uk3
1. News
2. DAERA advice on foulbrood diseases of honey beesApr 2 UTC
3. Bee HealthMay 5 UTC
BBC Newsbbc.com2
1. NI's honey bees: Population at risk due to no bee inspectorateApr 17 UTC
2. Honey bee losses double in a year due to poor winterJun 13 UTC
BBC Northern Irelandbbc.co.uk2
1. First reported Oct 28 06:30 UTC
2. More NI bee colonies survived winter last yearOct 28 UTC
3. Asian hornet: Should I be worried about the first nest in Northern Ireland? - BBC NewsOct 18 UTC
Roe Valley Beekeeperrvbka.com2
1. Northern Ireland Honey Bee Husbandry Survey 2024-25
2. Colonies
BIBBAbibba.com1
1. April 2026 BIBBA MonthlyApr 5 UTC
Bytes Europebyteseu.com1
1. Should I be worried about the first nest in Northern Ireland?Oct 18 UTC
cell.com1
1. Tropilaelaps mercedesae: rapid geographic expansion in a novel honey bee host: Trends in Parasitology
Donegal Beesdonegalbees.ie1
1. October Beekeeping Guide – Winter Prep, Fondant Feeding & Apiary TipsNov 4 UTC
oireachtas.ie1
1. Wildlife Protection – Tuesday, 13 Oct 2026 – Parliamentary Questions (34th Dáil) – Houses of the Oireachtas
oxnatbees.wordpress.com1Unverified host
1. Winter losses and lessons | Oxfordshire Natural Beekeeping Group