Help Me Interpret What I Am Seeing

[Daddys Girl]

I've read about it, and now I have a hive to watch, so if you could explain what I am seeing at the hive today.  The kids and I spent a good half hour out at the gate watching the girls do their thing, and I realized that I don't really grasp that transition between inside bee and outside bee.

There are a certain number of bees engaged in cleaning activities. They are dragging corpses out of the hive from when they were not flying during all the rain over the weekend. I saw one group dragging a piece of the leftover lemon balm out from when we were trying to keep them in the hive.


There are bees on the face of the hive above the entrance.
There are a lot of bees in the air in the immediate vicinity of the hive, but not really going anywhere.
And there are some who come out of the hive, find a ray of sunshine, who then take off over the fence and out into the fields beyond.

I haven't seen a bee that I'd specifically call a guard bee. There's been no headbutting or "get lost" behavior. I assume that most of the bees are doing orientation flights and/or the guard bees could care less about me on my little stool.

Can anyone provide me with some insight?

[Dane Bramage]

Sounds like normal behaviour to me (the bees, not yours, lol & KIDDING!!).

If it's a newer hive, recently moved or start of the season you'll see more orientation flights than usual.  Unless you're in the flight path or otherwise disturbing the colony they will (usually) pay you no mind.

Cheers,
Dane

[Kathyp]

I've read about it, and now I have a hive to watch, so if you could explain what I am seeing at the hive today.  The kids and I spent a good half hour out at the gate watching the girls do their thing, and I realized that I don't really grasp that transition between inside bee and outside bee

it's like getting old enough to leave home for the day and work at Micky D's.

They are dragging corpses out of the hive from when they were not flying during all the rain over the weekend

it's a good thing.

There are bees on the face of the hive above the entrance.
There are a lot of bees in the air in the immediate vicinity of the hive, but not really going anywhere.

orientation flights before taking off for Micky D's.

And there are some who come out of the hive, find a ray of sunshine, who then take off over the fence and out into the fields beyond.

older gatherers who already know where they are going.

I haven't seen a bee that I'd specifically call a guard bee. There's been no headbutting or "get lost" behavior. I assume that most of the bees are doing orientation flights and/or the guard bees could care less about me on my little stool.

nice bees.  you have probably seen them, but they have only checked you out.  you'll notice them more when you open the hive.  do not be fooled by nice behavior today.  later they may bet testy.  especially when you go to take their honey  :-)