Watch Hive Alive

In 2014, Chris Packham hosted a fascinating nature documentary series called Hive Alive, which explores the secret lives of bees and the complex social system of the beehive. Hive Alive is a four-part series that takes an in-depth look at the fascinating world of bees. From how they build their homes and attain their food to how they communicate and work together to protect their colony, this show covers it all.

Throughout the series, Chris Packham, a renowned naturalist, broadcaster and wildlife photographer, takes us on an exciting journey into the heart of the beehive. He uses a variety of innovative techniques, including time-lapse and macro photography, to show the behavior of the bees in detail.

The first episode, "City Bees," begins in London, where Packham meets a group of beekeepers who have hives on the rooftops of some of the city's most iconic buildings. He explains how the bees have adapted to survive in the urban jungle, and how important they are in pollinating the plants in the city.

The second episode, "The Queen and Her Court," focuses on the queen bee, the crucial role she plays in the hive, and the complex social hierarchy of the colony. Viewers will learn about how she chooses her mates, how she lays her eggs, and how she directs the behavior of her worker bees.

In the third episode, "The Demands of the Brood," Packham explores the lifecycle of the bees, and how the hive supports the growth of the brood from larvae to fully-grown bees. He explains how the worker bees feed the larvae, and how they maintain the temperature of the brood chamber to ensure the larvae are healthy.

The final episode, "The Race for Honey," looks at the bees' most famous product