I took a look at my hive today and noticed a little wear in one spot above the entrance reducer. The paint is worn off along the length of the opening and at first I thought it was just the wear and tear of the bees going in and out that caused it, but there appears to be a small area that looks "eaten" away and there was a bee in that area. Was she eating away at the entrance, and if so is that normal? Is that a drone in the picture near the "notch"?
Yes the bees have been chewing it. Yes, judging by the size of the eyes, that would be a drone.
In a while, your bees will do a lot more damage to the door than. They routinely enlarge the entrances.
Jim