Drones still around

[Paulypaul]

I keep a single colony in the back garden, to watchout for interesting behaviour (my others are in an out-apiary).
It's mid-December and I'm still seeing drones. Not loads, but they are there.

Any prognoses? Still haven't got round to kicking them out, or queen still laying a few drones?
Otherwise, it's a sizeable and apparently healthy colony.

 

[Erichalfbee]

My colonies usually let a few through winter ….. bless

 

[ericbeaumont]

Not loads, but they are there

It is said that a colony retains drones to give it an opportunity to replace a suspect queen.

That the chance of mating is madly impractical in winter doesn't deter the instinct, so drones could be taken as an indication of suspicion rather than an intention to act.

On the other hand, it may be that the good ivy flow & warm weather we had in late autumn led the colony to change back up into summer gear and produce drones.

 

[Penninetrader]

One thing for sure, they will not consult us on their decision making.They are much smarter than we.