[Sudanpan]

I am a very confused newbie beekeeper 


We had atrocious weather yesterday (as did most of the southwest and wales) but today was calm, mild, still and blue skies    So I was at the top of the field where our 'apiary' is (2 hives    ) and there was lots of activity from one of them - including quite a few drones coming out for some exercise flights    The other hive (the colony is smaller than the subject one) was much quieter and no obvious drones.


Now - I know this year has been pretty topsy turvy all things considered (this is our first year , we got a nuc in late June and a nuc in early Sept) but why would new drones be emerging now? 


I haven't looked inside the hives since mid Sept when all seemed 'normal' to my inexperienced eyes - we did an Apiguard treatment for them late Sept and stopped syrup feeding at end of Oct.


Should I be concerned?


Thanks, Tish

[ZacB]

Drones....any drones coming out at this time of year would be being kicked out I would imagine....although a bit late
At this time of the year I would say other than hefting your hives to check on weight, feeding fondant if required & treating with Oxalic a little later.....keep clear and let them be.
Roll on spring when we can start having a nose and interfering again

[Plantoid]

check on them around crimbo day .. the queen should be laying again ... also put a fondnt patty in if needed

[Sudanpan]

Have put the fondant patties on and now keeping fingers crossed 


Chhers 

[anderso]

just keep an eye on them from a distance - when the weather is fine the are probable on clean flights - if you can keep some of your old honey from each hive and give back to them  lots better then commercial stuff (cheaper as well)
 
drones will be being moved out to die. the girls can only look after themselves at this time of year.

[Plantoid]

I used to think that the drones got chucked out  in late October but even on Christmans day  there was capped drone cells and a few drones in the hive . I supose it is nature making sure the hive /nest has the best opportunity for survival.