Yesterday I took a walk to my hives just to check everything was OK. All winter preparations were completed some time ago. It was about 3pm and a few bees were flying. Then I saw a drone entering one of the hives. There was no doubt. It had some trouble getting through the mouse guard so I had plenty of time to look at it. Is this unusual or have I just never noticed it before? Around here the expulsion of the drones is usually in August. Sometimes a few hang on till early September. The only unusual thing I can think of is that it's been warmer than normal for the time of year. We've only had one frost so far and that was in early October. -- Malcolm Roe Phone : +44 1442 345104 Crosfield Electronics Ltd Fax : +44 1442 232301 Hemel Hempstead, Herts. HP2 7RH, UK E-mail : [log in to unmask] ------------------------------------------------------------------------