Dartington type (undershot) entrances - more bearding?

[itma]

I've recently acquired my first floor with a Dartington-style (under and up) entrance - the poly for National and 14x12 from BHS.

With a restricted conventional entrance (Payns alighting board floor + wooden block) these bees would scrummage round the restriction but didn't much beard the outside of the hive.
But with the new floor (entrance unrestricted) they are quite commonly bearding in the entrance 'porch'.

I've noticed it before to some extent, even checked and found it after dark.
But right now (10am, 18C, overcast, slight breeze) a few bees are flying but most of the porch is taken up with bees just 'hanging out'. They are very calm, not much movement at all (more like a winter cluster than a swarm) but one or two were Nasonov fanning with no particular enthusiasm.
The hive is well-filled but not dramatically congested IMHO - 14x12 with 4 supers, one only part-drawn. Through the clear coverboard I can see that things are entirely normal in the top super, with none of the dashing around as when preparing to swarm/cast.


Is this 'bearding' behaviour normal with this type of entrance?
Or should I be quickly diving in to see what's happening in there?

 

[user 6228]

I've recently acquired my first floor with a Dartington-style (under and up) entrance - the poly for National and 14x12 from BHS.

With a restricted conventional entrance (Payns alighting board floor + wooden block) these bees would scrummage round the restriction but didn't much beard the outside of the hive.
But with the new floor (entrance unrestricted) they are quite commonly bearding in the entrance 'porch'.

I've noticed it before to some extent, even checked and found it after dark.
But right now (10am, 18C, overcast, slight breeze) a few bees are flying but most of the porch is taken up with bees just 'hanging out'. They are very calm, not much movement at all (more like a winter cluster than a swarm) but one or two were Nasonov fanning with no particular enthusiasm.
The hive is well-filled but not dramatically congested IMHO - 14x12 with 4 supers, one only part-drawn. Through the clear coverboard I can see that things are entirely normal in the top super, with none of the dashing around as when preparing to swarm/cast.


Is this 'bearding' behaviour normal with this type of entrance?
Or should I be quickly diving in to see what's happening in there?

Yes I get that as well .. the warmth and smell of the hive bubbles out there. if you look at the floor design thats what must happen. The hive's warms air will move along the bottom surface of the brood box. Looked inside mine nothing is happening. 1/3 of the box empty so its not overheating etc..
I suggest they are just "hanging out " on the hive porch. That part of the entrance is part of the hive. The bees would similarly hang out in the long entrance hole in a tree. Great defensive posture against nocturnal intruders.

 

[Finman]

The hive is well-filled but not dramatically congested IMHO - 14x12 with 4 supers, one only part-drawn. ?

Have you thought to give more bixes there.
Never mind. They can liberate themselves with swarming.

Patience!!!!