Hello Martin!
 I suppose that you have spring 2-3 weeks earlier as we in Latvia. In some
years we have first fly in the end of February, beginning of March, the
temperature should be +9-10C, sunshine, no wind.

The brooding is starting in January(very little) and it is increasing
rapidly after first fly (sometimes only in April). Normally if the first fly
is so early it is good, because the hives are developing and they are strong
enough to use first honey flow in April,May. Also folk-belief says: if bees
are flying out early in spring it will be a good honey year.

The problems can cause cold weather, because bees should maintain high
temperature in hive for broods (approx.+33C). If first fly is so early, it
is big possibility that cold and snow will still come.

If there is a longer period of cold, bees are consuming a lot of honey and
you can loose them due to starvation. Or they cannot maintain temperature
enough for brooding. Very important is insulation of your hives to prevent
warm losses. Stimulating with candy is advisable ( if you have natural honey
and pollen sources at that time and warm weather then is no need for candy,
of course). Treatment of varroa should be started. It is very important how
you prepared your hives for wintering, because beekeepers year starts in
autumn.

It will depend very much on weather in spring and I hope you will have an
excellent honey-season this year.

With best regards to all beekeepers which have their hives still "sleeping
 and to all others which enjoy already their bees in working (you are
lucky!)

Ainars Millers
Ugale, LATVIA

P.S. I would be very glad to know if there are any beekeepers from
Scandinavia, Baltic states or Eastern Europe on the list. What is your
experience?