Fall 2010 was just such a year here in Chicago; of the 6 colonies in our new community apiary, 100% of them experienced late swarming and unsustainable winter populations. Long, hot autumn followed by brutal winter and spring = very low survival come April. The good news is that all 6 beeks stuck it out, ordered new nucs/packages, built up and split, and are now enjoying heavy honey stores. Our apiary now numbers 10 strong colonies, and growing. Jill Murtagh Pullman Beekeepers Chicago, IL *********************************************** The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html Guidelines for posting to BEE-L can be found at: http://honeybeeworld.com/bee-l/guidelines.htm