24 February 2024
The day past afternoon used to be heat and sunny at Marianne Atkinson’s space when she spotted bees at her fowl feeder and despatched me this message:
I’m interested in a number of honey bees. It’s 48° and sunny on Feb. 23, 2024 at 3:15 P.M. The bees are crawling at the sunflower chips which might be on this little window feeder and on my steps and platform feeder. The sunflower chips are dry. There is not any water in them for the bees to drink or nectar.
Why are they doing this? Are they k?
Years in the past I discovered from beekeeper buddies that early spring is a hungry time for honeybees. The heat wakes them up within the hive, they pass searching for meals, however there are not any plant life but. Beekeepers supply further meals within the hive right now of 12 months however honeybees within the wild will have to pass exploring.
Howard Russell at Michigan State College Extension supplied this rationalization:
Honey bees profit from any meals supply after a protracted, chilly wintry weather, together with fowl feeders. …
The bees gather the pollen-sized seed mud debris and yeast which might be discovered within the cracked corn and different seeds we set out for our little feathered buddies for which, I’m positive, the bees are extraordinarily thankful. The bees will transfer directly to their most well-liked meals assets as spring plant life start to seem.
— Michigan State College Extension: Hungry honey bees visiting fowl feeders
This wintry weather continues to range from chilly (as of late) to heat (within the 60s Monday via Wednesday). Stay your feeders crammed for birds … and hungry honeybees.
(photograph and video from Marianne Atkinson)