Winter Cluster Question

[Jeff M]

I just wondered whether the bees can revert to foraging after they've formed a cluster?

The reason I ask is because I check my bees daily and recently due to the temperature drop there's been no activity. I assumed that they had formed their clusters for the winter. However, due to the mild weather this week they have been active in large numbers and I've observed them today bringing in pollen.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

In a nutcase - yes

The winter cluster is not a form of hibernation - they will take the opportunity, whenever there's a chance to fly out on a 'toilet break' and if the mild spell is prolonged they will go out and forage if there is anything available. When the weather gets cold again - they will go back into a cluster - this will happen at any time of year. Bees don't have calendars

 

[DerbyBee]

Not all leave the hive so the ones inside will cluster while the others take a toilet break and/or forage.

 

[Ely]

Think of it like people. If it is a nice day. We go out for a walk, potter about the garden. If it is cold wet and miserable, we stay in reading a book in front of the fire getting steadily drunk on homebrew.

 

[Hebeegeebee]

I've thought about it as a cluster that expands and contracts according to the temperature.


"... in front of the fire getting steadily drunk on homebrew". Now there's an idea!

 

[BeeJayBee]

I just wondered whether the bees can revert to foraging after they've formed a cluster?

Yes.

They cluster because it's what honey bees do to keep warm and safe. A swarm hanging in a tree is also a cluster, with wings overlapping downwards to shed cold air and rain.

As soon as there's no need to keep tightly together to keep warm they carry on doing what they were doing before, whether it's eating, wax making, foraging etc..

 

[Millet]

Think of it like people. If it is a nice day. We go out for a walk, potter about the garden. If it is cold wet and miserable, we stay in reading a book in front of the fire getting steadily drunk on homebrew.

That sounds like a good plan but gladly i have a hunting pooch that thrives in bad weather so i have to get wrapped up and get out among it regardless of the weather.