I am new beekeeper - just installed a package into my backyard hive 3 weeks ago.
So far things look good - I've been into the hive twice. A week after the install I verified the queen was released - I even saw her on the frames and seemed to have been accepted by the colony. 2 weeks after the install I went in quickly to verify I had brood - I saw the queen again and saw brood - yeah!
OK - so here's my question. At peak points in the day when activity is very high around the hive I notice lots of drone activity - some flying in and out, some (6 or 7) just hanging out on the landing board doing nothing but kind of blocking traffic a bit.
I know that drone evictions from the hive can indicate stress, but it doesn't appear that these drones are being evicted - more like they're just hanging out catching some rays. Is this normal drone behavior, or is it possible cause for concern? Did I just get a bunch of drones in my package? I don't really want to go into the hive again (I am trying to keep intrusions to a minimum and let the colony do their thing), but as a new beekeeper it is easy to worry without experience to draw upon.
Thanks for any advice!
Don't worry about it. It may be that they are new drones and doing a test flight.
or, as you say it, maybe they are just catching some rays.
:mrgreen:
Jake
Drone are more community residents than specific hive residents. If you mark drones from each hive with different colors and go back a week later you'll find all or most of the colors in all the hives. The ones on the landing board might be fairly new hatches drying their wings, catching some rays, or waiting to go into a new hive.
Don't sweat drones, the bees grow them when they need them and kill them when they don't.