Foraging question

[Maz1]

Hi all, I was wondering anyone’s bees forage on their own doorstep? Both my colonies seem to fly away across the fields and completely ignore all the lovely forage that I’ve planted in our garden about 30 meters away. I don’t mind because the other pollinators love it but I just wondered if honey bees ever forage in the immediate vicinity of the hive?

 

[beeno]

Yes, mine do. Prunus, apple, yew, cilla, Spanish bluebells

 

[Millet]

Mine forage on the door step at this time of the year because all they need is close to them..in summer time they go further afield and ignore what i have planted because they have found something better...that will be the case with your little darlings.. they have found better picking's elsewhere which matters not just aslong as they have something to fall back on if the flying times are lessened through colder days..
For instance i have a Nuc in my Mothers garden that have been hammering the crocus ten yards away from them...but other bees where flying in the opposite direction on obviously better forage...
As long as you do your bit to help them that is good enough..

 

[Poly Hive]

Mine have been working snowdrop, crocus, heathers and seemingly have been flying 100 yds up the road to work there too. But mainly they are in the garden. I think it is risk management as much as anything in that if the temp suddenly drops its a short flight to safety.

PH

 

[Cuckmere couple]

ive heard a few old timers in our association say that their bees rarely consider local forage, however much they plant...and always head further afield....

probably just feels that way but hey ho

although, maybe there is something to be determined around bees needing sufficient forage for their colony, in the same way they do capacity of home for swarming to, before they waggle dance and direct colleagues

 

[Curly green fingers]

Mine have been traveling down the hill when the weather's good even flying over crocus and gorse mahonia , to go after something , but when the weather's been poor they have stayed very local .
The weather plays so much of a part in where they forage.

 

[Maz1]

Thanks for the answers guys, I’ll just carry on planting even if my bees turn their noses up at it!

 

[Poly Hive]

Winter heather and snowdrop and crocus, all lovely and all very much appreciated by the "experts" here.

PH

 

[Curly green fingers]

Winter heather and snowdrop and crocus, all lovely and all very much appreciated by the "experts" here.

PH

Mahonia and gorse , also very lovely and appreciated by the " not so experts here "

 

[birdsandbees]

as above posts, I've seen both going on, the majority ignoring my garden and heading off further afield though they do like the Camelias for Pollen and happily take short trips for that.

 

[Beefriendly]

ive heard a few old timers in our association say that their bees rarely consider local forage, however much they plant...and always head further afield....

All things being equal it's easier for bees to waggle dance and direct colleagues to nectar/pollen sources further than around 100m's. Closer it's a round dance with no direction.
If there is a very rich nectar/pollen source close to the hives they will find it though....