Migratory beekeepers move hives on pallets by lorry to follow a moving "wave" of forage across the country: spring oilseed rape and orchard blossom in the south, early-summer lime trees and clover in the Midlands, then heather moorland in the north during August. Each crop flowers for only a few weeks, so a colony left in one place all year misses most of the nectar flow.
UK heather honey commands a premium price because ling heather (Calluna vulgaris) nectar is thixotropic — it sets to a jelly and must be mechanically "pressed" from the comb rather than simply spun out, which is one reason beekeepers plan the moorland leg of the route so carefully.
A 3D route across England, from southern oilseed-rape farmland through Midlands lime and clover to northern heather moorland, showing how migratory beekeepers time hive transport to a moving wave of bloom.
Each region's forage blooms in its own short window through the year. Nectar flow and honey yield depend on whether the hives are physically present in a region while it is blooming, not on the calendar date alone.
Drag the week-of-year slider to move through the season. Leave "Follow recommended schedule" on to see the optimal migratory route, or switch it off and pick a site yourself to see the yield penalty of bad timing.
Heather honey is thixotropic — it gels and resists spinning out of the comb — so beekeepers press it instead, one more reason the moorland leg of the migration is planned so precisely around the August bloom.