Should i be concerned??

[WayneW]

Since about mid december, i have noticed some streaking on the outside of my hive. Not excessive maybe 20 or 30 streaks. (acutally now it's less, i guess the weather has washed some off).

I was reading this morning about Nosema, and found that streaking is a sign of possible infection. I seem to have lots of bees, at least by the numbers flying on the warmer days. Today i will open the hive ( will be in the 60's )
and have a better look inside for a better idea of the numbers. I don't see huge numbers of dead bees outside. There is a bit of a pile, but i attributed that to them finally being able to make clensing flights.

[jdpro5010]

More than likely the streaks are from being cooped up so long.  Then they make the cleansing flights and sometimes leave some streaks down the front of the hives.  While Nosema is a possibility, it is more likely in my opinion for it to be just the cleansing flights this time of year.

[WayneW]

Well i just did a short inspection and all seems to be fine. In fact it was great!

I now believe i have Carnis, Russians, or a hybrid of the 2. My inspection was before any were flying, only about 45 degrees. A bit of smoke and they were clam as can bee (some were still cleaning the sleepers from their eyes even  :-D ). While there didnt seem to be a HUGE number of bees, there are plenty, and everything looked and smelled fine.

I was really suprised at how heavy the top deep box was still. Most of the sugar i had left them (if not all) was still on top the frames(mountain camp method), and after cleaning that off, i'd guess there was at least 60lb of honey left in it.

Given their temprment, size of the cluster (kinda small from what i had thought it would bee) and the fact they didnt consume huge amounts of stores over the winter, im thinking russians/carnis.

I didnt pull many frames, just 2 in the top box. the first was capped honey both sides, and the second i took from the center of the box had a good number of bees on it :) .
In the lower box is where most of the girls were hanging out, spread mostly over the 6 center frames. I didnt pull any frames from that box because of the coolness, and tons of them were peeking at me over the top bars as if i were some alien invader.

Im thinking that first dandelion is a good time to add the excluder, and a super or 2, or 3 or 4  :-P

Should i start feeding 1:1 now for brood buildup, or is it a bit too early yet here in NEPA?