drones

[bulldog]

do drones leave the hive for purposes other than mating ? i didn't notice any drones leaving, but i did notice one entering the hive today. so i'm just curious. did he go out looking for a date only to return to the hive disappointed ?

[harvey]

my understanding is that drones go to certain congregation areas away from the hive often.  That is where the queens go to mate.  They have a name for those areas on here somewhere but I forget, 

[AllenF]

I am sure they go on poop flights.   I do see them outside of the hives a lot.   I am sure they are just seeing if the air is right for a "date".