Bees in the BirdFeeder

[ProfessorM]

Makes sense. Honey bees I suspect, as all wasps die in the winter except for mated females with do overwinter, hibernate. Also all bumblebees die in the winter except for the mated queens who find a way to hibernate also till spring so probably some honey bees looking for shelter or food as they probably left nest with the mild temps we had. Can't imagine they would stay in the feeders very long.

[Chris in Mass]

Definitely looked like honey bees. Some were doing some funky dances in the port holes of the tube feeder. And now that you guys have added some color, other bees just seemed to want to get in the housing between the food and the top. I'm guessing to keep warm. On another feeder, I have some higher grade stuff (mostly sunflower and cracked nuts, etc). There were a gang of bees hanging on that one and they seemed to be in one spot and focused on the feed. If they come back tomorrow, I'll be looking to move things around.

[cape2fish]

They were most likely honey bees. They will fly anytime the temperatures are over 50 and sometimes down to 40. Today would have been perfect for them and they are just coming out of their reduced winter stupor. They are most likely looking for pollen that they use for a protein source in the grain dust and I have heard of them getting into bird feeders for this before. Honey bees are very worthwhile as they indirectly help in the pollination of most flowering plants including your vegetable and flower garden. They generally don't bother you and if one stings you it dies. You should try to find out whether there might be a honey beekeeper in your area. They will fly up to a 2 mile radius from their hive but just like us they will take the shortest and easiest route to find food and water so there might be a hive and a keeper in your neighborhood. The honey bees will also visit hummingbird feeders to drink the sweet water and also visit bird baths because they need a source of water.