I am trying to learn more about my local area's honey flow, it's lulls and when it may be back on come this fall. I am seeing a normal amount of pollen coming in. Does this mean that they can/are gathering nectar from these same pollen sources? How do I know when the honey flow is at it's peak, when it's over, when it has started?
Jeremy
The best way is to get a scale hive.
Maybe this will help: http://beelab.osu.edu/factsheets/sheets/2168.html
well just in my opinion, I do it by watching the cells, if they are storing nectar then there is a flow, they can pull pollen without a flow going on, it might take you a couple years to learn your area but after that you realize what plants in your area is your main flow, some times there are small flows before the main and sometimes like this year I had a descent flow after the main flows have stopped, you never know what they might get it from, but watching the cells for nectar storage will tell you if something is happening or not, now don't get me wrong, after you learn your normal area flows you will sometimes get a surprise flow.