Weather, Bees, and Biodiversity: Why We Installed a Weather Station on Our Farm

It’s been the longest dry spell we’ve ever experienced on our farm. Both of our dams dried up completely - at first, we thought they might be leaking, but when we heard from other local farmers and saw the headlines about the most devastating drought in Western Victoria, we realised: it wasn’t just us.

And here’s the irony - this year, we installed two new water tanks. Great timing, right?

But one thing we’ve noticed over and over again is that the weather on our farm feels different from the surrounding areas.  Amphitheatre (yes, that’s the name of our nearest town!) sits nestled among hills and mountains, creating a natural amphitheatre that gives us a front-row seat to some spectacular weather events.  We can see storms rolling in from kilometres away, rainbows stretching over valleys, and clouds casting beautiful shadows across the land.

Rainbows stretching across valleys - so beautiful

We also know that weather plays a huge role in the biodiversity on our land - especially for our bees.  So, with our usual mix of curiosity, citizen science enthusiasm, and a love for all things nature-nerdy, this year we invested in something exciting:

Our very own Helios wi-fi weather station!

Now, if you're picturing a spaceship in the middle of a paddock, I’m going to stop you right there. Our Helios wi-fi weather station is a compact little device that lives happily on top of one of our solar panels, quietly doing its job. It even has its own solar pannel and connects to an app on our phones. With a few taps, we can see exactly what’s happening with the weather on our farm - real-time insights where ever we are.

Real time weather insights from our Helios wi-fi weather station mobile app

Our Helios wi-fi weather station is a compact little device that sits on top of our solar panels

So… what does our weather station actually measure,

and why does it matter?

Here are just a few things our station keeps track of - and how they affect life on the farm:

Sunlight (measured in kilolux)

Bees love sunshine! (now I'm singing 'here comes the sun' from our Friends with Honey Musical Kids Show Album!). The more sunlight there is, the more likely our bees are to be out and about collecting nectar and pollen from flowers. On overcast days, they’re often more sluggish or stay home altogether.

Sunlight is also critical for us because we’re 100% solar-powered here on the farm - sunlight = electricity. So every sunny day powers both the bees and the humans on our farm too!

Rainfall

When it rains, we do a little happy dance! (I'm not kidding!!) Every drop is precious, especially after months of drought. But while we’re celebrating, the bees are staying put.  Foraging in the rain is risky – wet wings and strong winds can be deadly.  So rain means the bees take a break and the plants get a drink.

Dew Point

Dew point tells us when moisture in the air condenses into actual droplets - like morning dew on the grass.  For bees, high dew point means damp mornings, and that can delay the time they go out foraging.. But for our parched plants, dew has been a lifesaver - giving a gentle sip of water even when no rain has fallen for weeks.

Temperature

Bees are temperature-sensitive.

• Below 12°C? They stay huddled in the hive.

• Above 38°C? They slow right down to avoid overheating.  Inside the hive, they work together to regulate temperature. On hot days, they even practice evaporative cooling - bringing in water and fanning their wings to keep down the temperature.

  
  

Meanwhile, we humans are layering up in winter and gulping down water in summer.

“Feels Like” Temperature

Now this one’s fun. You know when old mate at the pub says, “It’s only 25, but it feels like 35”?  Turns out, he’s onto something - “feels like” temperature is based on real science.  It accounts for humidity, wind, and air temperature to describe what it actually feels like to your body. For bees, it’s not about “feeling” it the same way we do, but they definitely respond to humidity, wind, and heat in ways that mirror our own need for comfort and safety.

Why it all matters: becoming better custodians of our beautiful land.

The weather station isn’t just for curiosity (although we do love nerding out over it). It’s giving us real insights into:

• How the local climate is shifting

• How bees behave and adapt

• How all biodiversity responds to all the weather variables

From wedge-tailed eagles in the sky to earthworms in the soil, every living thing on our farm is connected to the weather.  And the more we understand it, the better custodians we can be of our beautiful land.

From wedge-tailed eagles in the sky to earthworms in the soil, every living thing on our farm is connected to the weather. 

We’re still learning about the other data points our weather station collects - and how they tie into the bigger story of climate, biodiversity, and resilience.  But one thing’s for sure: the more we pay attention to the patterns of nature, the more we realise just how extraordinary this place really is!

Want to learn more about how weather, bees, and biodiversity are connected?

Friends with Honey offer engaging, hands-on programs for schools, kindergartens, and community groups that bring these concepts to life - complete interactive activities, singing, dancing and storytelling. Whether it's exploring pollination, understanding biodiversity, or discovering how weather shapes nature, there's something for every age group.

Bookings are now open for incursion programs, workshops, and seasonal events. 👉 Click here to enquire or book a session – We’’d love to bring the buzz to your school or community event!

Bee Incursion Programs | Sustainability Education | Live Performance Kids Show | Festivals & Events

Nature's Clean Up Crew: The Fascinating Process of Decomposition

Last month was International Compost Awareness Week, and I wrote all about the joys and rewards of my composting systems.  But it got me thinking about how nature deals with waste?   The answer lies in one of nature’s most powerful processes: decomposition.

Fungi - a wonderful reminder of decomposition in action at our farm!

It’s Fungi Time!

This time of year on our farm, something magical starts to happen - beautiful fungi start popping up through the soil!  And everywhere I walk, I see signs of nature’s recycling system in action: animal droppings (especially roo poo!), fallen leaves and even the occasional animal carcass.  Poo, leaf litter and dead animals it might not sound like nature's beauty, but decomposition is one of the most efficient, fascinating and important systems in the natural world. And, I just love seeing it in action on our farm!

The soil is alive with creatures - many of them so tiny we can't see them.  As an avid citizen scientist, I often think about how the food chain works, and what eats what - and when I see a dead animal slowly disappear back into the earth, I’m reminded that decomposition is just as important as growth.

So What Exactly Is Decomposition in Nature?

Decomposition is the natural breakdown of dead organic matter - plants, animals, waste - into simpler substances. This process is carried out by a whole team of living organisms called decomposers: bacteria, fungi, insects, worms, and other invertebrates. They’re nature’s cleanup crew!

These creatures feed on dead plants, animals, and animal waste, breaking them down and releasing vital nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, and potassium back into the soil. This keeps the nutrient cycle going and ensures that plants can grow, herbivores have food, and the entire ecosystem stays in balance.

Why Decomposition Matters

The best way to answer this questions is to ask - What if there were no decomposers?

• Dead animals, leaves, and poo would pile up.

• Nutrients would stay trapped in waste and not return to the soil.

• Plants wouldn’t grow as well.

• Herbivores would struggle to find food.

• Carnivores would follow…

In short, the food chain would begin to collapse.

But thanks to decomposers, none of that happens. They keep ecosystems healthy and self-sustaining. The work they do might not be something we think about often, but it’s absolutely essential and incredibly impressive.

From Fur to Bone in Days

One of the most fascinating things to observe is how quickly nature can break things down. An animal carcass on our farm can go from fur to bare bones in a matter of a week or two, especially with the help of scavengers like our local wedge-tailed eagles and other birds of prey.

And the decomposers? They get to work straight away -  from flies laying eggs that become maggots, to beetles and worms all doing their part.

Wedgetail Eagles helping with the clean up process!

Meet the Devil’s Coach Horse

One decomposer I found recently had the BEST and most fitting name I’ve ever heard: the Devil’s Coach Horse! (Creophilus erythrocephalus in latin).  When I saw this red headed eerie looking critter, I took a photo and uploaded it to iNaturalist, to learn some more.  This beetle is a fearless little predator that lives in rotting carcasses and eats maggots (fly larvae).  You can see in this photo it was enjoying a feast of feasts - it was so fascinating to watch the food chain in action. Even decomposers, it turns out, are part of the food web!

The Devil's Coach Horse - a fearless predator feasting on a maggot.

Teaching Kids to Love All Insects (Even Flies!)

When I’m running Bee Incursion Programs for kids, I always remind them: all insects play an important role, even the ones we might find annoying - like flies. Without them, we wouldn’t have maggots to help break down waste, and that means nutrients wouldn’t get recycled.

It’s one of my biggest passions is helping kids become the next generation of nature stewards who understand, respect, and love how nature works. When we understand processes like decomposition, we begin to see how everything is connected  and how even a fly on a piece of poo is doing its part to keep the planet healthy!

Want to learn more about nature’s incredible systems?

Follow along with Friends with Honey for more stories from our farm, interesting insects, and educational programs for all ages.

Worms in the soil - something that always makes me smile!

Let’s Talk Compost! Celebrating International Compost Awareness Week

🌍 🐝 World Bee Day is almost here – May 20th! It's a celebration of the vital role bees and pollinators play in keeping our planet healthy.  But before we roll out the red carpet for the bees, there’s another event I’m super excited to talk about… 

International Compost Awareness Week!  Yes, compost – glorious, earthy, life-giving compost!

Now, I know people fall somewhere on a big scale when it comes to composting – from the compost-curious, to the bokashi-bin trendsetters, all the way to the fully compost-obsessed. I'm very much at the extreme end of this scale.  I LOVE composting. Truly.  My compost bins, worm farms, and even chickens are like little cookie monsters, gobbling up my organic scraps and turning waste into the beautiful compost that helps my plants to grow!

So, what is International Compost Awareness Week?

🗓️ International Compost Awareness Week Australia (ICAW) is a week of events, education, and action focused on promoting the importance of composting.  It’s all about turning our organic “waste” into a valuable resource, reducing carbon pollution, and helping our soil thrive.  Because healthier soil = healthier planet. Simple as that!

Hot compost at our farm

My Composting Methods: From Worms to Chooks to HOT Compost!

If you’re new to composting or curious about how others do it, here’s a snapshot of my composting setup:

🪱 Worm Farm

My red wigglers are little legends. They munch their way through banana skins (banana bread is a staple in our house!), veggie scraps, and other soft organic materials. In return? Gorgeous worm castings and worm wee that is liquid gold for my fruit trees.

♻️ Compost Bins

Over the years, I’ve experimented with all shapes and sizes. My favourite are the dome-shaped compost bins that sit directly on the ground. I’ve usually got a few going at once – it’s a little compost rotation station!

🔥 Hot Compost

Yes, there’s such a thing as hot compost! At the farm, we have the space to create big compost piles by layering carbon and nitrogen-rich materials (think food scraps, straw, manure, even roo poo, leaves etc). When done right, the pile heats up and breaks down fast!

🚽 Compost Toilet (Yes, really!)

Several years ago (I think this was during covid lock downs) I read the most wonderful book by a gentleman, Joseph Jenkins - called - wait for it - The Human Manure Handbook - shit in a nutshell. Inspired by the book we installed a compost toilet at the farm and we haven’t looked back since!

🐔 Chickens

My chooks are composting heroes! They gobble up scraps and process them into nutrient-rich manure overnight!  I collect it with their wonderful eggs and add it to the compost.  It’s like adding baking powder to a cake: it takes the compost to the next level!

My composting heros - the chooks!

What Do I Compost?

Almost everything organic! This includes:

• Fruit and veggie scraps, tea and coffee grounds, leftovers, cardboard, paper towels… the list goes on and on!

• Hair from our Aussie Bulldogs (yes, really – they shed like woolly mammoths!)

• Garden clippings and leaves

• A beeswax by-product called slumgum 🐝  It is the impure residue that remains after beeswax is extracted from honeycombs
  

In a nutshell - if it can break down naturally, it’s going into my compost.

Even Tess, our Aussie Bulldog helps to make the garden grow - dog hair goes into the compost!

Why Compost?

Here are some powerful reasons to start composting today:

Healthier Soil = Healthier Planet

Compost feeds the soil, which supports healthy microbes. These microbes help sequester carbon and improve plant growth.

Reduces Greenhouse Gases

Organic waste in landfill breaks down without oxygen, releasing methane – a potent greenhouse gas. Composting keeps things aerobic and climate-friendly!

Increases Water Retention

It helps soil hold onto water, which means healthier plants and less need for watering.  During our recent drought at the farm, compost enabled me to plant seedlings that would not have otherwise grown

💚 It Just Feels Good

There’s something deeply satisfying about transforming waste into something life-giving.   A year after tossing scraps into the compost bin, I’m digging them back into the earth to grow something new. 

Ready to Get Started?

If you’re new to composting, start simple:

• Try a worm farm if you’ve got a small space.

• Go for a dome compost bin if you have a backyard.

And remember – Rome wasn't built in a day! It usually takes 6–12 months and sometimes even longer for compost to fully break down, but it’s worth the wait.

Get Involved this Compost Awareness Week!

Visit the ICAW website for more resources and info. If you’s like to learn more about compost and sustainability in your community, school or workplace, I’d love to come and share some compost inspiration with you.  Please send me a message!

Happy International Compost Awareness Week!

Sing, Dance and Learn with the Friends with Honey Musical Kids Show Album