Pollen in March?

[Rodni73]

Today the temperature reached 52 degrees here in Northern New Jersey. My two hive were buzzing with activities. The girls came out in force. Cleansing flights, orientation flights and feeding on sugar water mixed with honey. Each hive got half a jar of sugar water and they sucked it dry by 5:00 PM.  To make it short... I observed bees bringing pollen to the hive. One pollen was orange while the other is grey. I sat there and lite a counterband (Cuban Montecristo) cigar and watched as bees laden with pollen land and go in.  I was surprised because due to the winter and cold temps we have a barren landscape here with nothing blooming yet they were bringing in pollen. Is this normal? I mean is it possible that they can find pollen after the snow and freezing we got in the last three month?

Any way... I am so glad to come out of winter with two hives. Last year they died and this year they made it!

Peace and happy spring all
-Rodni   

[beryfarmer]

I am 30 miles north of philly and dont yet see pollen but plenty of activity- have a strong hive it seems.  They are a bit defensive and got tagged on the chest when i added some candy.    Toying with ordering some megabee and making some candy.  Maples are budding.

There is a pollen color site somewhere.  suggest you search board for pollen color.  Maybe crocus??

[beryfarmer]

Pollen color
MAPLES
see link

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pollen_source#Flowers_and_annual_crop_plants_-_Spring

[Wynoochee_newbee_guy]

The winter has been awsome this year only two weeks of artic blast. No Snow and my bees have been packing in the pollen from about Feb 20th yeah!

[beryfarmer]

about 1 bee in 40 is brining in pollen--light yellow
nice sunny day -finally

[Beaver Dam]

Bery, I put out megabee here in N Centeral Texas 1st of Jan. along with sugar water. I would do the same. Get it out as soon as posible. My bees here have slowed down on the megabe now that more natural polen is comming in. I'm still open feeding lots of sugar water.