Hot day.

[Geoff]

First query from a newcomer. It has been a very hot day here in Southern Australia & there are  a couple of small clusters of bees on the front of the hive just above the entrance. The family have been very vigorous since I acquired them having taken off about 60 lbs of honey until a month ago.
   Would this event be something to be concerned about  or is it something to do with the hot day?.
    On other hot days there have been a lot of bees out around the entrance but not in the tight small clusters.
     Congrats on the great sight,
                                               Geoff.

[Robo]

Bearding is quite common when the weather is hot and they try to maintain the temperature inside the hive.  You can help them out by using a screened bottom board or a slatted rack above your bottom board.  Also providing some top ventilation is a great help too.

[Lesli]

Hey Geoff,
It may be the heat, but if they have been very productive, check the brood nest. One of my hives swarmed in late fall last year because it got honey bound, and there was no place for the queen to lay--in spite of having two supers on and no excluder.