Water in, water out.

viridens · Apr 19, 2021

During this dry spell there has been more water collection than usual from sources like the bird bath and next door's pond, but every night the hives are busy fanning away, now getting rid of water. With the recent low daytime temperatures I don't suppose the 'day'water is being used for cooling, so what are they doing with it?
There is clearly plenty of fresh and partly dehydrated nectar in the hive, Does this water collection mean that older matured honey is being diluted and consumed by preference, or does fresh nectar still need to be diluted for use?

Curly green finger's · Apr 20, 2021

viridens said:
During this dry spell there has been more water collection than usual from sources like the bird bath and next door's pond, but every night the hives are busy fanning away, now getting rid of water. With the recent low daytime temperatures I don't suppose the 'day'water is being used for cooling, so what are they doing with it?
There is clearly plenty of fresh and partly dehydrated nectar in the hive, Does this water collection mean that older matured honey is being diluted and consumed by preference, or does fresh nectar still need to be diluted for use?

I would say its stores being consumed.
We went through all colonys on the weekend and you can plainly see ivy/Heather honey being diluted around the brood nest.
Still not as much drone brood around compared to last year up here.

GuyNir · Apr 20, 2021

Curly green finger's said:
I would say its stores being consumed.
We went through all colonys on the weekend and you can plainly see ivy/Heather honey being diluted around the brood nest.
Still not as much drone brood around compared to last year up here.

Walking around the apiary yesterday, I could smell heather honey.