Just checked on colony 2. They hadn't eaten any fondant :-(
I had presumed they were hiding to the right, under the second bee escape in the crown board so I dug that out. No bees at all :-(
I decided to lift the crown board right off and see if there was anything left. To my surprise, the LEFT-most 3 or 4 frames were chocker with bees (and unimpressed with the extra ventilation). I turned the crown board round 180 degrees and put the fondant on over the hole which was now right over the cluster. Everything back together and watched them for a bit.
There were quite a few orientation flights and some foraging. They were clearly happy all the time, close against the left side of the brood box. I'll check again in a few days to see if they want the fondant or not. Probably depends on the weather in the coming week.
Not much seen from colony 1, but then I hadn't just messed them about and it is windy and damp out so far; they are probably waiting for some sun later.
FG
I had presumed they were hiding to the right, under the second bee escape in the crown board so I dug that out. No bees at all :-(
I decided to lift the crown board right off and see if there was anything left. To my surprise, the LEFT-most 3 or 4 frames were chocker with bees (and unimpressed with the extra ventilation). I turned the crown board round 180 degrees and put the fondant on over the hole which was now right over the cluster. Everything back together and watched them for a bit.
There were quite a few orientation flights and some foraging. They were clearly happy all the time, close against the left side of the brood box. I'll check again in a few days to see if they want the fondant or not. Probably depends on the weather in the coming week.
Not much seen from colony 1, but then I hadn't just messed them about and it is windy and damp out so far; they are probably waiting for some sun later.
FG
