[SuperBee]

Is this a sign of anything? They were coming and going nonstop this afternoon. Generally I don't see many drones.

I am guessing that a batch of drone brood hatched recently and were making their first flights.

 

[Michael Bush]

They have a schedule. You probably caught them when they were on their way out to the DCA (Drone Congregation Area).

 

[FordGuy]

They have a schedule. You probably caught them when they were on their way out to the DCA (Drone Congregation Area).

wow - you know, that could be a complete joke, or completely true, and I couldn't tell the difference! Mr. Bush, April 1 was a while back...(im laughing here, mostly at my own lack of experience/knowledge!)

 

[Robert Hawkins]

FG, There are several DCA's up in the sky somewhere. How the Drones decide where they are and how the queens know to fly by them is still a mystery. But at certain times, depending on the breed, the drones have to bee there and the mating queens know it. weird, huh?

Hawk

 

[Michael Bush]

>wow - you know, that could be a complete joke, or completely true, and I couldn't tell the difference! Mr. Bush, April 1 was a while back...(im laughing here, mostly at my own lack of experience/knowledge!)

I didn't intend it as a joke. The drones go to the bee singles bar (AKA Drone Congregation Area or DCA) every afternoon and return every evening.

 

[naturebee]

They have a schedule. You probably caught them when they were on their way out to the DCA (Drone Congregation Area).

You can watch during specific times. On average, drones fly between apx. 2 to 6 PM, but this is largely weather dependant.

I didn't intend it as a joke. The drones go to the bee singles bar (AKA Drone Congregation Area or DCA) every afternoon and return every evening.

Not every afternoon. Drone flying is weather dependant, and requires a temperature of about 63F or more to fly to a DCA. If the weather is bad, drones will make up for the lost time with increased flying time the next nice day.

 

[Michael Bush]

>Not every afternoon. Drone flying is weather dependant, and requires a temperature of about 63F or more to fly to a DCA. If the weather is bad, drones will make up for the lost time with increased flying time the next nice day.

You are correct. I should have said every reasonably NICE afternoon.

If the wind is blowing 30 mph they definitely won't be flying. If it's pouring down rain they definitely won't be flying.

 

[BeeBear]

For a while, I could count on large numbers of drones returning at 4 PM local time. I haven't checked lately and I suspect the time is slightly different now since it's later in the year and the timing is presumably based on sun time rather than what my watch reads.

 

[Michael Bush]

Yes, I'm sure it's based on the position of the sun.