A Freudian slip perhaps in your original first line? Do the bees just collect more than they require - just for us. Of course they do collect more than they require but our hives and beekeeping practices encourage us to take off more than we should and it takes a positive step change to change that and leave a super on.huntsman. wrote: ↑26 Aug 2020, 20:08Andrew; 'So I will not apologise for pointing out that they do not get the honey for us - ...'
Nobody asked you to.
And; 'and of course some/many strains/hybrids/modern bees are more prolific and wintering in bigger colonies needing more stores.'
Is that not what I said only in a different way?
This is a forum that many beginners use and the original poster has the right idea.
Your thread places the emphasis on changes in the bees rather than weather - I disagree. The move by many to 14x12, brood and half or double brood reflects the change in the bees and the increased capacity in the hives should address that change.
Changes in the weather on the other hand is encouraging a longer flying season with increased use of stores. It's the weather that is the problem and will be until we get a flow all year round.
So we are not saying the same thing at all - leaving a super in addition to any brood box(es) capacity seems to be a necessity nowadays because of changes in our weather.