When will it end!

[Gaz1]

Weathers been great for most of October although dropping to 8 at night, day temps are more between 12-15! Obviously at some point the ivy will stop so is this weather almost a bad thing now (not for us!!) as I'm thinking it's warm and clear so they will be out about wasting energy and not really finding much I'm not too worried as i think they are well stocked now. Just the amount of activity is suprising!! Is my first year so maybe not really!

 

[REDWOOD]

Last sunday the bees were still collecting Balsam and Ivy, noticed today a patch of sally rhubarb still flowering covered in honeybees. Bees are not stupid when it comes to winter preparations, they have been doing it for millions of years

 

[pargyle]

They won't waste time flying if there is no reason to fly ... water collection and poo flights go on all winter if there is a fine day .. they are opportunists - I've seen mine out on the snowdrops and early crocus when the temperature has been well down. If they find a source of food (be it pollen or nectar) at any time of the year and it's fit to fly they will go for it. Learn to trust what they are doing and let them get on with it.

 

[masterBK]

Bees will not be wasting energy. There are behavioural feedback systems in place to reduce foraging for pollen and nectar once hive full of stores. You can read all about them in Winston chap 10 "The biologyof the honey bee" & in Seeley chaps 3, 5 and 6 "The wisdom of the hive"