Lots of pollen bottom box

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Antipodes

Queen Bee
Joined
Mar 24, 2019
Messages
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Location
lutruwita
Hive Type
Langstroth
I was reducing the boxes on a colony today (for winter) and found the bottom box (I use smaller boxes) quite well stocked with pollen ( no nectar or brood in it). The queen and a small amount of brood was above it, and it formed a reasonably decent layer directly under the brood. Good honey reserves in boxes above the brood. Usually the lower box is empty or nearly empty this time of the year here (mid autumn). Any thoughts please on what this means, if anything?
 
Yes it means the bees have had good forage. Nectar arriving at the hive is collected by house bees and passed from bee to bee before it’s deposited in a cell. Pollen has no conveyor belt system so if there is lots coming in the bees often just dump it where they can. Ie in the bottom box. It’s why I always close the bottom entrance if I do a Bailey frame change.
 
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