The Latest Buzz #3

February – Waiting It Out With Hopeful Signs

The early weeks of February threw some serious winter weather at us. Temperatures dipped well below normal for extended periods, with daytime highs barely reaching freezing. As for the bees, they stayed relatively quiet, only moving enough to get to stored honey and conserve precious resources. Winter bees are tough, but long cold snaps still slow down even the hardiest colonies.

Then came the tease of spring. A few days in the high 30s sprinkled in this past week brought some changes.

Even though nights still dipped back below freezing, those moderate mid-day temperatures were enough to encourage the bees to break cluster briefly. On warmer afternoons, we saw little bursts of activity: louder buzzing, bees at the entrance, occasional flights, and even signs that the hive was starting to shift out of its deepest winter mode.

One of the most hopeful signs? Little specks on the ground.

Bee poop - sometimes called “bee pollen spots” or simply flight debris - is a natural sign that bees have taken cleansing flights. In winter, bees hold it in until they can take a quick flight outside. When multiple warm days allow repeated flights, it means:

• The bees are healthy enough to move

• They’re cleaning winter build-up

• Spring is slowly, but surely on it’s way

  
  

Overall, February might be one of the quietest months in the beekeeping calendar, but this year it left us plenty of clues: heavy winter clustering, warm bursts, and unmistakable bee flights that leave tiny flecks on the ground. So, here’s to more mild days and more bee poop sightings ahead!

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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.