Thanks to all for the quick replies...so it looks like winter of 2005 was
not as bad as winter of 2004. 

I lost about 50% (or more, N-33), mostly to small clusters (enough food).
When I checked 1/21/06 they were mostly alive...I attribute my loss to
varroa, nosema (some with heavy dysentery), perhaps also tracheal mites (not
checked). 

I would like to know how beekeepers with more bees fared (I know one
Michigan beekeeper with 300 colonies lost 100%)...Apparently climatic
conditions do make a difference (i.e. harder to winter here with a longer
winter, although it has been quite warm this past one). 

Zachary Huang

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