Seems like they fly to and from whatever is providing nectar and pollen.
Our own trials years ago showed that flight speed over a 2 mile course (4
mile round trip) was not significantly faster for bees flying to the floral
source compared to bees returning with pollen and nectar from the food
sources. They are such strong enough fliers, LOAD didn't make much
difference; so I'm skeptical of an uphill versus downhill effect.
I do know that WIND presents a challenge to forager bees, as does heavy
rain. Windy sites have reduced flight hours as evidenced by our
bidirectional bee counters. As I've said before, simply facing the hive entrance
towards the sunrise will change time of initiation of foraging by approximately
30 minutes to one hour compared to bees from hives facing away from the
sun. Same is not true at dusk. They all come home about the same time.
Jerry
In a message dated 6/19/2012 7:41:43 P.M. Mountain Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
> If you are in hilly country, locate your hive in a valley.
> Bees fly uphill for nectar and downhill when loaded with pollen
> or nectar.
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