Strong hives normally keep a few drones through the winter in the south.
 Sometimes a cold spell in late winter will mean many dead drones at the
door, as bees belatedly toss them out.
 
    It isn't really even unusual for strong hives in the winter to keep some
drones in the north, particularly if it is mild.
 
    The winter has been mild in the northeast.  But I suspect a major
difference is more observant beekeepers. In many seasons you can't even get
to the hives in February in the north, and beekeepers, aware of the terrible
losses, last year are getting in to check, ASAP.
 
    More care in mite treatment, more feeding = stronger hives, more apt to
keep a few drones, and more watchful caretaking.
 
    Nothing freaky about that.
 
    .........And hardly evidence of African genes.