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| Honey bees visiting bird feeder |
It has been very nice in the past few days, with temperatures well above normal for this time of year in Minnesota....in the 50's and 60's, too quick and too warm too soon! I am not complaining, I enjoy the warmth; but the honey bees are a bit confused.
My friend Gayle noticed some bees in her bird feeder coming in and thinking it was odd. She is right! Bees don't eat seeds... but right now there is no fresh pollen available. Of course I have put some pollen patties in their hives, but I guess Gayle's fresh seeds are way better! Especially she is so good to birds, she replenish her feeder daily....the bees took notice!
It is a good sign for our bees, it means that they are starting to rear brood in their hives, and some foragers are actively looking and searching for food. This phenomenon happens when the temperature is above 50 degree F, and when the flowers are not available. The ingenious bees then turn to other sources of pollen. They are attracted to seeds that have been ground into feed for farm animal, for instance or even saw dust. Obviously bees are not able to carry seeds back to their hive, but they will carry small broken pieces of seeds and dust pollen which are rich in protein. It can be dangerous for the bees because sometimes they get caught inside the feeder and cannot escape, and soon die.
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| Bees on top of seeds |
Liz took those pictures, and she told me that she took some bees out of the feeder and placed them on the ground, so they would not die in the feeder. This is the first time that this behavior has been observed at the farm! I am glad Gayle noticed! It is unbelievable how the honey bees are resourceful. This should stop when the first flowers bloom....hopefully soon.
Happy beekeeping!
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