Ron Harriger wrote: > Fellow keepers of the bee, > > I visited a bee yard the other day and from a distance I could see numerous > bees on the ground. As I got closer I could tell that most of them were dead > and a few were moving about. The good thing about it is they all were drones. > As I stood and watched for a while I witnessed other drones being dragged out > of the hive and dropped to the ground...... I have that here in the UK at the moment. I'm pretty certain here that it's a combination of over production of drones and a stretch of cold weather (13-15 C) causing a gap in the honey flow. The colonies all have plenty of stores (so far) and only light varroa infestation, so I guess mine are just checking their insurance policy. Of course there could be other reasons where you are. Regards, -- Gordon Scott [log in to unmask] 100332,3310 on CompuServe Newsletter [log in to unmask] ditto Beekeeper, Kendo Sandan, sometime sailor. Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG22 5HP, UK