Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: MrILoveTheAnts on March 17, 2009, 09:59:12 PM

Title: Bees Foraging on Bird Seed
Post by: MrILoveTheAnts on March 17, 2009, 09:59:12 PM
http://bugguide.net/node/view/258997/bgimage

I though this was neat, However I don't know how long the link will work before it's "frassed."

Apparently they're licking the oil off the bird seed and dumping them on the ground. I know the sunflower seeds in the container (full black with no stripes) are the kind used for oil and not for eating. But what are the other seeds to and how much oil could they possibly have?
Title: Re: Bees Foraging on Bird Seed
Post by: BjornBee on March 17, 2009, 10:20:46 PM
They are after the "dust" on the bottom of the feeder. They collect as if it is pollen.
Title: Re: Bees Foraging on Bird Seed
Post by: KONASDAD on March 18, 2009, 12:08:28 PM
My bees are working saw dust from a felled tree.
Title: Re: Bees Foraging on Bird Seed
Post by: twb on March 20, 2009, 04:58:56 PM
Last week when it warmed up both of our bird feeders were emptied by the bees.  In one I placed some powdered pollen substitute when the seed was gone and they looked like flying bee ghosts after that.  I have pictures of it all but we have dial-up so it's a pain to post them.  Maybe I will get to that this weekend.
Title: Re: Bees Foraging on Bird Seed
Post by: twb on March 21, 2009, 09:58:06 PM
(http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/452/029lvw.th.jpg) (http://img256.imageshack.us/my.php?image=029lvw.jpg)

(http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/2122/036zpu.th.jpg) (http://img16.imageshack.us/my.php?image=036zpu.jpg)

Here is proof.  First one is bird seed.  After feeder was empty I put in powdered pollen and they went to town on it.  I think I saw some real stuff coming in today, though.  There should be more of that to come :).  I heard spring peepers this evening for the first time this year.  Enjoy!
Title: Re: Bees Foraging on Bird Seed
Post by: Irwin on March 22, 2009, 08:47:48 AM
That's a cool looking bird feeder.
Title: Re: Bees Foraging on Bird Seed
Post by: BjornBee on March 22, 2009, 08:51:11 AM
Looks like the bees were hungry. One frame the feeder is full and the next picture, it's empty..  ;)
Title: Re: Bees Foraging on Bird Seed
Post by: JP on March 22, 2009, 09:38:20 AM
Quote from: Irwin on March 22, 2009, 08:47:48 AM
That's a cool looking bird feeder.

I concur!


...JP