[Pollinator] FW: Bee observation

Wed Mar 20 15:43:52 PDT 2019

Fowarding for input

-Kelly

*From:* Wilson, Dee [mailto:Dee.Wilson at ul.com]
*Sent:* Wednesday, March 20, 2019 2:06 PM
*To:* Kelly Rourke <kr at pollinator.org>
*Subject:* Bee observation
*Importance:* High

Hello Kelly,

I have been noticing unusual (at least in my observations) behavior my
local honey bees. I reside a little Northwest of *Pittsburgh, PA *(Beaver
county).

I have lived at the same residence for 16 years and have always had bird
feeder in front of the kitchen window. Over the years I have seen many
years where we have unseasonably warm weather in Jan and Feb on and off
intermixed with snow up until April. I have seen honey bees to be out and
about during these weird warm days in the middle of “winter”.

This is the first year that I have seen Honey Bees actually at my bird
feeder. We get typical rain and/or moisture that soaks the mixed bird feed
(cracked corn, millet, sunflower seeds, other) that sits in the “tray”
portion of the bird feeder located on both sides of the feeder and the seed
that is spilled on the ground. The Honey bees are densely congregated (a
mass of them tightly packed) on both sides of the bird feeder where they
are digging and tunneling under the seed and enter into the feeder itself
where they become trapped. I have seen them licking the soggy cracked corn
in the feeder trays and licking the “bird seed water” that collects in the
feeder trays. I also see, simultaneously 30-40 bees scrounging the ground
where all the seed has spilled. I have observed these honey bees rolling
the soggy cracked corn as they lick all sides of the corn and then off to
the next piece on the ground. I originally watched this behavior in
beginning Feb. when it was warm and intermittently ever since on the warmer
days in between the cold/snow days. It started out with the soggy bird
feed, concentrating on licking the cracked corn only to now they are
licking the dry corn. I have seen them fervently lick all of the “dust”
(when dry) or the moisture (when wet) from the cracked corn that coats the
corn and accumulated in the feeder trays and inside the feeder itself (mind
you, they are tunneling under 3-4 inched of bird seed when they get stuck
in the feeder, where they get exhauster/overheated and die if I am not home
to see and let them out (I work, as most of us do, and am not home to save
them all the time).

When the honey bees are buzzing and covering the ground licking the corn,
others are all over the feeder covering both sides completely covering the
lower 6-8 inches of the feeder itself to where you cannot see the feeder
past all the bees. I have never seen this behavior ever (and I have kept
several hives myself spanning over several years in the past and I have
seen hungry bees before).

The birds do not like the bees and sit in the bushes until they leave and
are upset they cannot access the feeder or the seed on the ground. Most
times, the birds have to settle in for a several hour wait. The birds just
sit there and look dumbfounded. This occurs during the warmest hours of the
day when the bees are active. The bees all leave when the sun begins to
set. I have observed this behavior more that 15 separate occasions starting
in beginning Feb. to just as recent as last week. I do not know where the
honey bees hail from, if they are a feral hive that has swarmed/split from
a bee enthusiast or if they reside in a backyard hive.  I live very rural,
farms/orchards. It is not uncommon for someone to keep a hive or two. If I
knew where they came from, if it was a cultivated hive, I would tell him to
feed his bees. Honey bees face enough hardships/problems without having to
contend with a neglectful owner/”hobbyist”.

Keep in mind, I am not worried over the birds…they will get over it.

I tried leaving out a tray of sugar water on the ground below the feeder to
help them out, however, they are only interested in licking the corn, soggy
or dry and have not bothered with my “offerings”.

Has anyone else observed this behavior?

I imagine it has much to do with no blooms available during the winter
months and they are desperate for nutrition and water?????

Can you circulate for additional comments? Answers? Or as a case of record
or warning (to not neglect one’s bees)?

Thank you.

Dee Wilson

*From:* Pollinator <
pollinator-bounces+dwilson=chemadvisor.com at lists.sonic.net> *On Behalf
Of *Kelly
Rourke
*Sent:* Monday, February 4, 2019 2:02 PM
*To:* pollinator at coevolution.org
*Subject:* [Pollinator] FW: announcement for listserv...

Abstract submission open for the 4th International Conference on Pollinator
Biology, Health and Policy!

The 4th International Conference on Pollinator Biology, Health and Policy
will be held at the University of California Davis, July 17-20 2019. The
last time this was held, over 230 attendees from 14 countries attended this
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novel quantitative approaches in pollinator ecology, and bee health in
managed and urban lands. Keynote talks will be presented by Dr. Christina
Grozinger (Penn State University, USA) and by Dr. Lynn Dicks (University of
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Rader (University of New England, Australia), Robert Paxton (Martin-Luther
University, Germany), and Francisco Sánchez-Bayo (University of Sydney,
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please visit our website:

https://honey.ucdavis.edu/pollinatorconference2019
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contact Elizabeth Luu <Luu at caes.ucdavis.edu>.

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