The Latest Buzz #2

January – Quiet Days & Careful Watching

The days are still short and most of the activity has shifted indoors here at the farm -  including inside the hive. While everything still looks calm from the outside, the bees remain alert and responsive to the changing winter conditions.

This month, the colony continues to stay tightly clustered around the queen, adjusting their formation as temperatures rise and fall. On colder nights, the cluster tightens to conserve heat; on slightly warmer days, it loosens just enough to allow bees access to stored honey. This constant movement is essential, helping the colony stay nourished without breaking the warmth they’ve worked so hard to maintain.

We’ve noticed an increase in dead bees near the hive entrance, something that often draws concern in mid-winter. This is a normal part of January hive life, and as older worker bees naturally reach the end of their lifespan, they pass away inside the hive. During colder stretches, the colony can’t remove them right away, so when there’s a bit of movement or a brief warm spell, those bees are pushed toward the entrance all at once. While it may look sudden, it’s usually a sign of a functioning winter cluster rather than a problem.

Along with the buildup of the dead, we also make sure the entrance remains clear of ice and debris. Proper airflow is especially important now, as moisture buildup inside the hive can be more dangerous than the cold itself. So far, the bees are managing their environment well, balancing warmth and ventilation like the experts they are.

January also brings the occasional surprise. On milder afternoons, a few bees have been seen taking brief cleansing flights, darting out and back in quickly before the cold settles again. These moments are short-lived, but they’re a good sign that the colony is healthy and responsive to its surroundings.

For us, this time of year is about observation rather than intervention. The bees have everything they need - a strong cluster, stored honey, and protection from the elements. All we can do now is watch, listen, and trust the process. Each quiet winter day brings the hive one step closer to spring, when the work of the new season begins again.

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The Latest Buzz is a series offering gentle check-ins from the hive(s) here at Stone Lions Farm. Each update reflects the season, the bees, and the quiet work happening in between. Check back for more as the year unfolds.