Robin brought up some fascinating matters concerning the winter cluster. I'd like to add one, that may be implied by his comments, but isn't clearly stated. For years the assumption was that the bees rotated positions so those on the outside could get warm. In the past several years it has been discovered that the bees pretty much stay where they start. Imagine, in these frigid climates that an animal as small as a bee can survive for 4 months or longer at just above freezing, with nothing to eat (only those on the inner layers below the 'crust' eat and shiver to create heat). Shows how much we have to learn about bees and how they survive. When bees get temperatures warm enough to break their cluster and move the bees in the layers DO change, but I recall that there is no massive reorganization such as all those formerly on the inside moving out, etc. AFAIK, Mark Winston was the first to describe the layers and the lack of bee movement, but several have duplicated his data and observations. Around here, there are those who have sufficiently selected bees for overwintering that a 4-frame nuc in early November will have a teacup of bees. Maybe a fist full. Come April there will still be 1 to 1.5 full frames of honey, and lots of brood. At dandelion bloom (May 15-20) they will swarm if not given enough room. These are dark bees, but more gray/brown than black. I suspect a great deal of Caucasian mixed with carniolan. Lloyd Lloyd Spear, Owner Ross Rounds, Inc. Manufacturers of Ross Rounds Comb Honey Equipment, Sundance Pollen Traps and Custom Printer of Sundance Labels. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::