bees flying everywhere, what's up

[chemlight]

I have 2 hives last week I fed each with a boardman and reduced the entrance, no problems, they seemed to love it. Today I fed them again same deal except about 30 mins later I had bees flying everywhere, not like normal going out of sight, they were flying slow like they were looking for something hovering around. It seems that instead of flying off like they always do they just stuck around in the yard.

Is this normal?

[TwT]

young bee's doing a orientation flight probably, mine was doing that today also, a few hives was doing it close to the same time, your first thought was probably robbing but when you seen it plenty of times you will notice it right away, it is normal!

[pdmattox]

They don't want to go fly out after food now that they know someone will bring it to them.  If there was no robbing going on I guess that could be what it is.?

[EasternShore]

Mine do it all the time in the afternoon...even today. Mine are prepping for winter, have slowed feeding and sunning themselves on the front porch..maybe those are the old folks getting ready to get booted for the winter..hehe

[chemlight]

Thanks for the replies. I should have mentioned they were not necessarily near the hive like orientation flights but yet all around the house and yard, even found a couple flying inside the screens on the windows.

How many scout bees go out before a swarm? It was like they were looking for something or were smelling nectar everywhere.

[jojoroxx]

It seems that as the autumn dearth intensifies, the natural curiosity and work ethic of the bees becomes apparent. In my observations the bees have been more obviously "on the prowl". They are not occupied with a good strong nectar flow, so, like you said, it seems they approach nearly everything, and might even venture indoors, for a sniff around.

Simply making my tea in the morning will lure them in the window. ...perhaps 3 tbs of honey per pot is too much?