I have a Maple tree with a hollow branch that has/had a hive in it, and fall '20 it was abandoned. Wax comb still in it, but empty as far as I can tell, with no activity all this year.
With this crazy warm spell. I just noticed Bee's are swarming it, and my soda/beer can smashing station.
What gives, are they looking to make a new hive, just trying to rob the old one, or what?

Thanks to all i advance.

They are probably foraging/robbing it out .

Robbing it out. Same for the cans. It's sugar they run on and with nothing blooming alternate sources will do.

That kind of activity this time of the year, I have to agree with SLC.

I can understand the cans thing for the sugar, but the hive is barren? Will they steal wax too? Are they looking for a place to stay for the winter?

Old cavities, wax and hives are always attractive to scouting bees. If there's still honey inside they will steal it.

They do not move wax or bee bread aka stored pollen from outside their colony but they will move both honey and propolis from outside sources.

Seems to me that hive would have been robbed out far before now had it been abandoned a year ago.

Are we talking a few scout bees or a swarm size of bees?

I often wonder what happens to bees that abscond their hives in the fall due to high mite loads. Dead for sure, but.

They are probably robbing it out, I say that but I had a swarm on Wednesday at one of my out yards so it could be that some moved in during this warm weather.

Guesstimate around 100 Bee's total, kinda hard to count standing still and holding your breath! LOL

Some old comb might be covering honey making it tougher to get out.

Limb needs to be removed anyway, might just do it to see if there's any honey left. Thanks for all the help.

probably no honey left in the limb, but if you do not remove it there will be another swarm set up house in the limb come spring

I wouldn't mind that at all!

Unless its a danger to property I would let nature play itself out.
Not sure if Bees are Welcome Here signs would help.
But I would be trying to think of something.

I'm sure there are never ending things to learn in Bee Keeping , if you were inclined.

I would take the hive piece of the limb, move it some where that it won't bother you. Set the log up level, on a couple of blocks. I can almost guarantee that a swarm will use it next spring. The old comb will attract them . If you don't want it give it to someone who does. My bees are all tucked in for a long winters nap. They will start to get out , probably April.old243

My bees are still flying. Got a few late golden rod and some white dutch clover blooming.