Early March Orientation Flights???

[skflyfish]

This has been a nice week with temps in the high 40s and low 50s. The gals have done their cleansing flights already and today they have been out exploring and seeking pollen.

One hive was extremely active this afternoon with what looked like orientation flights. Am I seeing this properly and is it normal this early in the spring, this far north?

Thx,

Jay

Video

[D Coates]

Looks normal to me.  I doesn't matter how far North you are it matters what the temp is.  When it get around 50 and there's little to no wind they'll come out.

[homer]

Heck, mine come out long before the temps reach 50.  All they seem to need is a day with the sun shining on the hive to warm it up and temps near or slightly above freezing and they're out cleansing! 

[Scadsobees]

I think it is crazy, too, how much that will vary from hive to hive!  Some will fly cooler than others.

yup, normal.

Rick

[skflyfish]

Thanks all.

I think I will have to keep a close eye on the one hive as it was strong all through winter. It sure looked like summer orientation flights, so this hive may be building fast. They are well past the cleansing flights as evidenced by the spotted brown outer covers. ;-)

Jay