Normal activity or robbing?

[The Bix]

About six weeks ago I lifted one of my hives and it seemed very light, so I started feeding with fondant and about 3 weeks ago I put a sugar "cake" on top of the frames.  When I put the sugar cake on, I also added an Imirie shim to provide more space between the top of the frames and the bottom of the inner cover.  Having the Imirie shim in place also provided an upper entrance in addition to the bottom entrance which has an entrance reducer on the smallest setting in place.

It's a warm but windy day today and the bees in this particular hive are pretty active, especially at the top entrance around the shim. 

Am I observing normal activity or am I observing robbing?  How do I tell the difference?  And if robbing, should I close off the top entrance?

[T Beek]

If robbing was occuring you'd know it.  You'd see bees tearing each other apart.

thomas

[AllenF]

I have never really seen bees robbing sugar.    Honey and syrup, and pollen a little if nothing is coming in.   I bet normal activity. 

[iddee]

Robbing or not, I would close the top entrance. Why do you need it?

[kathyp]

at this time of the year you an have other bees going after the sugar without having a robbing frenzy.  you may not even notice it if they are just popping in a grabbing some unless you are tracking them away from the hive.

i'd second closing the top.  no need to attract others and no need to let heat out.

[T Beek]

Oh boy, here we go again.....

thomas

[kathyp]

Oh boy, here we go again.....

?
if you are referring to the top entrance thing, it's never a good idea to have food on and more access to the hive (feeder).  if it doesn't cause robbing now, it will.  once you get it started, it's hard to stop.  better not to let it happen.