Bees in the rain

[Jonnyl]

Hello everyone. It's pouring down with rain here but despite that the bees are cavorting around the hive like it's a midsummer day. Shooting off in all directions too. I've never seen them do this before. What gives? Thank you all.

 

[Millet]

Hello everyone. It's pouring down with rain here but despite that the bees are cavorting around the hive like it's a midsummer day. Shooting off in all directions too. I've never seen them do this before. What gives? Thank you all.

Although they loose a few they know what they are doing..as much as it pains me to see them perish in the rain we can do nothing about it.

 

[GillianS]

Obviously good Scottish Bees!! As we always say when asked the question, How do you know it's summer in Scotland? The rain gets warmer ......

 

[Jonnyl]

It's really odd. I mean it's proper training, and they seem to be enjoying it. Quieting down now though but they were out for an hour. Very odd indeed. Both hives too.

 

[Millet]

Normal behaviour Jonny..

 

[maz0]

It's really odd. I mean it's proper training, and they seem to be enjoying it. Quieting down now though but they were out for an hour. Very odd indeed. Both hives too.

What subspecies are your bees? Wondering if there is any correlation...

 

[pargyle]

What subspecies are your bees? Wondering if there is any correlation...

I've got one colony where the bees regularly fly in the rain .. not all of them I suspect, they are not flying en-masse .. they don't seem to be collecting pollen when it rains .. water collection or defecation ?

 

[Ian123]

If it’s warm enough and the nectars there many colonies will fly in light rain, for pollen collection it needs to be dry. It’s very obvious in the autumn when bees are on the ivy damp but warm mornings bees are bringing in small loads a dry afternoon and great big large yellow sacks on legs. I suppose in damp/wet conditions it won’t clump up for them.

 

[Jonnyl]

Simply black mongrels.

 

[pargyle]

Simply black mongrels.

Hardy local stock... bet they wear nothing under their kilts as well.. let's face it.. if they waited for a balmy summers day up there to forage they would have a long wait sometimes !

 

[Swarm]

Were they swarming Jonny?

 

[Jonnyl]

Well, I was out looking at the hive before the rain as I often do. Just observing from the side of the hive and it was industrious but nothing unusual. Simply going in and out and general business. Then the rain came and their activity didn't seem to diminish. However I went in today, an hour ago, and shes gone. See my post from an hour ago. I've never witnessed a swarm but I'm told it's something special so I don't think they did.

 

[bobba]

I have one hive of Bucks, (possibly 2 - that's another story). I have had them for 6 weeks and they seem very good at flying in the rain. I have been amazed at how heavy the rain can be and they still seem to be bringing in the pollen.

We have a bee hive of Carniolans at work. And I have noticed they seem far more fussy and just hunker down on any day with a bit of drizzle.