Drones

[jl]

The last time I checked my hive (about two weeks ago) I noticed some dead Drones (3 or 4) on the landing board.  Didn't think much of it, thought maybe they had been dead on the bottom of the hive and they just now pulled them out.  Then we had a two week cold spell where the temp averaged about 0 degrees and got as low as 30 below.  Well today it's 50 and the bees are flying.  I was watching them and there were approx 12 on the landing board and then I noticed that one of them was a drone.  There is no question that it was a drone and the others were workers.  I thought the drones were kicked out and died every fall.  Just curious if this is normal or suggests that something is wrong inside.  Thanks in advance

Jeff

[Michael Bush]

A lot of drones might indicate a queenless hive.  A few is not abnormal for some bees.  Mine usually have a few all winter.

[jl]

Thank you I was just curious, I've only seen the one alive and probably under ten dead on the board since november  Thanks