Drone congregation areas … or not?

Despite it still being “T-shirt and shorts” weather, autumn is here.We've had some lovely warm days, and the bees continue to busy themselves on the Himalayan balsam.As a beekeeper with 'short arms and deep pockets', this suits me just fine {{1}}.My winter feeding is almost complete and most colonies have only needed half a block of fondant. The large pile of unopened blocks are securely tucked away in long-term storage for next season (or later), with a few retained for late winter/early spring top-ups if colonies feel light.I'm gradually ticking off the tasks on the 'to do' list in preparation for the winter ahead.There are still too many wasps around to use the steam wax extractor (unless I want to do this in the dark, or — even less likely — after wine o'clock. Er, thanks but no, thanks.), or to have a bonfire of old frames {{2}}, but as soon as the first frosts arrive I'll be 'on it'.Once that's done, the boxes currently occupied by those frames will be empty, so can be stacked…