Bringing in pollen in northern IN already?

[brolib]

We've been enjoying unusually warm, sunny Spring weather in Logansport, IN. Lots of activity around the hives, as might be expected. But lots of pollen being brought in. What could it be? Maple?

[bwallace23350]

Maple puts out early for us here. How early is this for yall?

[brolib]

Very early! The snow just melted with a strong possibility of more snow for another month. Dandelions probably won't appear for another month.
I'm very new to beekeeping. This is my 3rd winter. I was pleased as punch to see the girls bring in stores. At first I thought robbing, but all three hives had full pollen baskets going in; none coming out. I have a couple of double deep hives at a friend's house 5 miles away and he reported the same. The bees are bringing a lot of something into the hives.

[Rurification]

I'm in south central Indiana.   We've got no pollen.  Way too early for maples still.  Possibly your bees found some bird seed?   My bees are all over the bird seed and chicken feed dust. 

[cao]

The only thing blooming around here is a few patches of chickweed.  Like Rurification said they probably found some feed dust.  I have several neighbors within flight range that raise cows.  I assume that my bees know where the feed is.

[tjc1]

So, can they eat the feed dust, or are they mistaking it for pollen? I have also read about bees gathering sawdust, which certainly wouldn't have any nutritional value to bees I would think.

[BeeMaster2]

So, can they eat the feed dust, or are they mistaking it for pollen? I have also read about bees gathering sawdust, which certainly wouldn't have any nutritional value to bees I would think.

This is from millions of years of building their hives in hollow trees.
They have to pay the rent to the termites.

Jim

[splitrock]

Mine are cleaning out our bird-feeder, really getting after the dust during this warm spell.

I would imagine every feed-bunk and bird-feeder in my area is seeing a lot of bee activity when there is no pollen.

[brolib]

Feed lot dust and bird feeder dust sounds likely. We are on the edge of town with both within bee range. Thanks for the input.