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Weather, Bees, and Biodiversity: Why We Installed a Weather Station on Our Farm
- Helen Charles
- 18 hours ago
- 4 min read
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.
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.
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.
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!
