Hive on a Pole

As yesterday was reasonably mild, and more importantly dry, we went walkabout through the back of the local graveyard to see whether Stan's horses were out in their paddock. There was no sign of them this time but we were being closely watched by a couple as we took one of the muddy rights of way:





There used be be quite a collection of conventional bee hives but they seem to have been replaced by a different design:



There were a couple of these last year. Now all the hives are of this design.  I wonder whether the idea of putting the hive on a post is to give protection from any creatures which might try to raid them.

I had a look round the 'net and read about one keeper who put his hives on steel poles which had a saucer of oil half way up HERE. That was to stop ants and other insects invading the hives. When I photographed the above hive I was puzzled by the glass jars scattered round the base. I wonder whether they are baited insect traps. Apparently in some areas of Africa bee keepers use a similar design to protect their hives from honey badgers.