Pollen nutrition

[Pete Nicholson]

Quick question - bees bringing in bucket loads of Ivy pollen yesterday and this morning. Anyone know if this is as good as spring pollen? I know that Ivy 'stores' can solidify so the bees can't use it but is the pollen a good winter feed or are they stocking up for brood in spring. Can't seem to find references to 'quality' of pollen. (on 14 x 12 with super under so bags of space for them to store it)
P.

 

[beeno]

Hi P,
One of my hives last year had an absolute autumn pollen frenzy. To my astonishment when I opened up for OA in December/January there were no stores whatsoever, neither pollen nor syrup and no brood! I guess, I caught them just in time and they turned out to be my most productive colony of the year! They can live on just sugar, but need pollen to brood which I luckily have from Jan. onwards! To answer your question Pete, in my case it was not spring pollen, but winter feed. I do believe, that they prefer it fresh for brood.

 

[Pete Nicholson]

Thanks Beano for such a constructive reply - will keep hefting! Both my hives around 40 Kgs gross and on cedar hives so I feel I'm OK at the moment........ but as you suggest, need to keep a wary eye
Cheers
Pete.