Geoff,
Sorry I haven't kept up with posting here. Things a re pretty quiet right now I live in Groton MA we got about 14" of Snow on Friday. It has not been terribly cold, but I would guess the Bees have not been able to bring in store since late October early November. I have reduced the entrances, and put on mouse gaurds. The Bees were out on Saturday I saw a few in the snow 100 to 50' from the hives. I also saw dead bees around the entrances not to many, just enough to let me know they are active. It's always amazing to see them out when the ground is covered with snow.
Chad