The Girls have their cake and they're eating it too!!!

[40 Acre Bees]

We had a fairly warm day here in Nova Scotia and the bees were out flying.  I took a peek into the hives and the sugar cakes were absolutely covered in bees.  Is this a sign they are out of their own stores already or could they just be taking advantage of the warm weather and moving some of the sugar down for storage.  Looking for your opinions.  Thanks

[Perry]

A heft would tell you. A lot of mine are up top already but that is not all that unusual for some of them, whether they are heavy or not.

[40 Acre Bees]

There still seems to be some weight to them, when the weather cools will they head down or are they most likely in the upper box for the rest of the winter?

[Perry]

Not sure, but as long as there is weight you've done all that you can do.

[Lburou]

...the sugar cakes were absolutely covered in bees...

This is consistent with my experience.  For some reason, my bees tend to stay up there and don't draw on their honey until brood production begins in spring.  It works for me!