Spring?

We have just had the coldest April on record. There has only been one day where the temperature reached above 60 degrees. I left an extra box of honey on each hive going into winter this year so I would not have to feed the bees this spring but I did not anticipate Spring being so long, cold, and wet. The first dry weekend I saw the bees busy in two of the three hives but only a few coming and going from the one started last season. Upon closer inspection these bees were coming from the adjacent hive, a hint that it was being robbed. I got into the hive and found that what few bees it had left were all dead , just their heads stuck in empty cells. There was capped honey in the outer frames and just above them the upper two hive boxes were full. I extracted one box and put the other on this hive. I'm not sure why this hive did not survive the winter as this had been the most prolific first year hive I have ever had. I was talking to other beekeepers who purchased bees from the same supplier as me , and they had the same problem. Many Californians have trouble with the Pacific Northwest winters and that is where these bees came from... hm-mm.

These bees have created a new entrance. I wonder if mice tried to get in during the snowy weather.

It is the last day of April and we may get above 60 degrees for the second time this month. There are a few early blooming plants the bees are collecting pollen from, but most is coming from Dandelions.

The bees have started moving into the extra upper box and with the hope of warmer weather I may not have to feed them this year... we'll see.