Bees collecting ash

[matthewstiles]

Was heading inside and passed the ash pile and saw many bees were collecting wood ash. Any thoughts? I've never observed this behavior but am also only in year two of this.

[drlonzo]

Is this wood ashe or trash ashe?  If it's wood ashe they may be after salts to cure honey with or possibly after rosin for their propolis..

[matthewstiles]

It is wood ash

[BeeDog]

Is this wood ashe or trash ashe?  If it's wood ashe they may be after salts to cure honey with or possibly after rosin for their propolis..

Do bees also collect trash ash?

[BeeMaster2]

Was the ash wet? They may have been collecting water. If there was no pollen, they may have been collecting the ash but it seems like the wrong time of year.
Jim

[matthewstiles]

The ash was dry. Pollen in the area appears to be pretty sparse right now only just had most of the snow melt off this past week.