Getting concerned

Thought I should check on the bees after their acid trip last week. There were again quite a few dead bees in front of the weaker colony while the stronger colony was clear. However on moving the entrance restrictors found many more again the majority in the weaker colony. I could hear a humming from both colonies but only just audible by the weaker colony.

Disturbing for me was the amount of water at one corner of the stronger colony and clearly condensation, not rain/snow. So took off the tops and looked inside. The weaker colony even had some ice on the inside even if it was on the ledge which the roof rests on and not in direct contact with the bees.

Beginning to think it may be wise to move the hives to a "warmer" place eg against the house wall, at least for the next two months, normally the coldest. While the current location gets the most sun, it also gets it early in the morning and perhaps like rhododendrons which don't tolerate morning sun, perhaps the rapid temperature changes are causing too much condensation and with the low number of bees and only one level perhaps there isn't enough internal warmth or room for circulation.

Will have to call MrB who I saw called yesterday and I need to call back.