In 1992, Scott Camazine wrote:

The colony often accumulates an amount of honey
greatly in excess of its immediate need. During the summer,
a colony in the northeastern United States typically
gathers about 60 kg of honey, but only consumes about
35 kg, hence accumulating some 25 kg in the hive. 

In contrast, a colony
gathers only about 20 kg of pollen and consumes nearly
all of it during the season, keeping a stockpile of only
about 1 kg in the hive at any given time.

My thoughts on excess pollen:

First, one would have to determine whether one was observing an excess, or simply seeing adequate reserves, compared to what had previously been inadequate. Camazine says that two and a half pounds of pollen is a typical reserve. 

Next, one would have to determine how the bees decrease pollen foraging when they reach the critical mass. If this is regulated by brood pheromone, then the fall reduction of brood should reduce pollen foraging. 

However, it is likely that the bees are unable to respond immediately and continue to bring in pollen after the need for it has decreased, leading to an excess. Even a few days of heavy pollen gathering after the need has declined could lead to several pounds being brought in and stored. 

While we know that honey bee colonies are extremely responsive, there may be a limit to how closely they can modulate these responses. Additionally, the responses are not strictly mechanical and no doubt vary from colony to colony.

PLB

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