> For those who are following my Mickey Mouse study of winter
> feed consumption, here is the latest chart. 
http://www.honeybeeworld.com/JanChart..jpg
> 
> We've had a respite from month-long sub-freezing temps and
> we see hugely increased consumption today.  
> 
> Comments?

Nice chart Allen!

I haven't been following, so I'm playing catch up.

If I am reading the chart correctly, I don't see 
any great correlation between temperature and food 
consumption, -they do not appear to be in lock step 
with each other.  So I am pondering your comment:

Could please clarify for me:
Are you stating above, that a spike in temperature is the
cause of increased food consumption?  I have a great
deal of skepticism that temp is the mechanism 
controlling the level of food consumption during
winter.

I'm assuming the major spikes in consumption are
the result of the cluster taking advantage of a
warm spike to reposition, or re-distribute food,
and I would like to explain this in my next comment:
 
Some of the deep valleys or spikes in temperature seem to 
not correlate with any great degree to an increase or 
decrease in consumption.  This indicates to me, a 
supporting of earlier studies that show cluster 
temperature is largely regulated by contraction and
relaxation of the cluster and not by energy consumption
and expenditures.

What’s your take on this spike in consumption?
And what do you believe it correlates with? 

Best Wishes,
Joe
  
   


      

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