I have not visited the hives since Columbus Day, so with my brother took a water taxi out to the Island to see if they made it through the winter (John checked his gardens.) The temperature was in the mid 40s and sunny, with still about a foot of snow in many places on the ground.
I knocked on the first hive and heard a robust buzzing. I did a similar test on the second hive a few times, not hearing any response, but looked up to see a a number of bees pour out and chase me off - got stung on the ankle. The good news is that both hives made it through the winter so far, despite my lack of attention.
I placed two new empty hives in the bee yard on Farm Hill using the Turner's snow sled.
I checked the Murray shed wall for signs of the hive that swarmed last Labor Day and ended up there, but did not hear any buzzing. While I do not wish them ill will, if they survive the winter I will have to figure out how to get them out and into a hive. I think they reached the equivalent of Portugal in Casablanca, as Debbie Murray is a master beekeeper and rooting for them.
