Boxing day "Flight of the Honey bees"

With the onset of cooler and wetter weather a week or two ago, who would have thought that on Boxing Day 2011 both bee hives would be a live with flying bees.

With some winter sunshine on the hives and some mild morning temperatures for the time of year, the bees made the most of it and came out of the hives.  A chance to stretch the wings and go to the loo.

They seemed to be landing on the damp grass, presumably to collect water droplets to take back to the hive.  The pond is only some 30 metres away but they didn't seem to venture that far.  Not one bee was seen landing at the pond (whereas in summer it is busy with bees).  So local flights only.  Nevertheless it is good to see them out and about and proof that many of them are OK so far this winter.