Nectar source

[Flycaster]

Hi,

If there are no bees around plants in the garden,  like mint and basil, oregano and other things they often like... and they are still busy coming back and forth to the hive does it mean they have a much preferred nectar source elsewhere? 

Cheers

[BeeMaster2]

Yes, this is a good indication that you still have a flow on somewhere around you.
It could mean that the flowers have poor quality pollen but even then if there was not good sources, they use them to some extent. Bees have been known to collect flour and coal dust when nothing else is available.
Jim

[Flycaster]

Thanks,

Fingers crossed for an autumn excess then 😊