“Might those days of rain we had last week be enough stress to cause the hive to banish a number of its drones? My bees were able to get out between showers. But you're at a higher elevation. How was it up at your place?”
Only 900 feet higher, Ted. Although, my records over the past year indicate nearly twice the rainfall and average 6 degrees cooler than here in the valley. More direct marine influence maybe.
Only one of my two colonies, the TVBA nuc, exhibits this behavior so far. I now have a second deep on each colony and they are drawing comb rapidly. At this rate I may put the Flow Supers on in a couple of weeks!
The native prairie we planted last year is a riot of flowers but, despite an improving nectar flow, each colony consumes 1/2 of 1:1 syrup a day.
Regardless, we find observing the antics of the bees to be fascinating, educational, and inspiring!