This is my first year beekeeping, and I installed two packages of Italians on 4/15 in medium boxes. Everything's been OK, but one of my hives is definitely more active than the other.
Last night, I went out after work just to see them come and go, and I noticed the more active hive have quite a bit more bee activity at what is now the side entrance (because a dado cut in the screened bottom board is not covered by the entrance reducer). It appeared aggressive to me, and then I saw a bee come out of the other hive and into this one. Then I noticed what looked like water on the redwood, so I decided to get a video (albeit a poor quality one: video URL here). What caused me to shoot the video was not only what I thought was aggressive behavior at the entrance, but I could have sworn I saw a bee fly out of the less active hive and into this one. A short time after I shot the video, a bee came out of nowhere and stung me on the nose.
I decided to let them be, and came back out after dark to check on the water at the entrance. The water turned out to be dried and sticky, so my guess is my feeder in that hive is leaking. They're the Mann Lake plastic top feeders. Curiously, though, the spill only looks to be about three or so tablespoons, and the feeder still has syrup in it. Other than a very slow leak, I can't explain it. I got the sugar water washed off, and plan to take a more thorough peek on Saturday morning.
Despite the poor video, is anyone able to tell me if the behavior at the entrance is normal?
Thanks!
PS: Well, I can't post the video link. Is anyone willing to allow me to PM them the link so they can post it?