" and this impacts not only the quantity of nectar gathered but also the quantity and quality of pollen.  Poor nutrition pretty quickly impacts the health"

You make a real good point.  I am lucky and live in pollen heaven.  From the first day bees can gather soft maple in March until the end of Oct when it is too cold to fly any more I do not have a day all summer that bees are not bringing in lots of pollen.  The first two weeks all they have to work is soft maple, but then a whole string of pollen bearers kicks in for the rest of the summer and most of the time I can see several different colors coming in within a minute.  I do have a nectar dearth from late July until late August when they eat more than they gather.  But, with all the pollen they never shut down brood rearing all summer.  It is seldom they will even touch pollen sub for me.  Last year was an ok nectar year.  Better than average for golden rod and aster in the fall.  So, is that why I am lucky on winter deaths this year?  Both my dead hives had a bottom box full of pollen.  Too much if anything.
Dick

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