[RayMarler]

I've done it with no newspaper and it worked out just fine, but I did it in spring/early summer, never this time of year at the beginning of fall. I never used newspaper, and did not put obstructions in front of the entrance. Hopefully it works as well for you as it has for me, the very few times I've done it.

My reasoning goes like this...
The bees above an excluder are working in the honey storage area of the hive, and do not participate in the brood nest activities of the hive like nurse bees and house bees do. They are somewhat of a separate set of bees and do not go through the politics of the brood nest area near the hive entrance. My thinking is that they won't go through the security checking that other bees coming in do, and they are coming in with a full super of stores that they are managing. I figure it should be seen as a good benefit to the accepting hive and pass all judgement.

 

[Jack Grimshaw]

You can move frames and bees around during a flow but during robbing season bees don't get along.I would have used newspaper.
You will find out if you see a pile of dead bees outside the entrance

 

[Mike Gillmore]

Should be alright, but check next week and make sure you still find some eggs confirming that the queen is ok.

 

[BeeHoosier]

Thanks, that gives me some hope. Today it is raining and keeping the bees inside the hive for now, but is supposed to let up this afternoon. I will take a look at the entrance board and the ground and see what it might tell me. How many days should I wait until I open the hive to check on them?

 

[amk]

They’ll work it out. No worries.

 

[bushpilot]

I've done combines of a queenless colony with a queenright one, without newspaper, and it all worked out fine. Not recommended, as it may not work out, but it has for me so far (several occassions).

I am guessing yours will be fine.

 

[BeeHoosier]

Today once the rain stopped I observed the hive entrance and there was no dead bees on the landing board or the ground around the hive, so that is a good sign. There were lots of bees coming and going and it looked fairly peaceful and I saw some pollen coming in so hopefully they have it squared away. Thanks for the peace of mind you offered!