My observation in hedged Fermanagh is that hazel pollen is brought in on (the occasional) calm sunny day in Feb (air temp >7C) even when there is what looks like edible capped pollen stores during the Winter/early Spring. Unlike with nectar (fuel), feeding pollen in the cold months seems based on belief (and manufacturer hype) rather than evidence (maybe I just do not know of it). Last year I fed a nectar/pollen fondant mix to a couple of colonies, out of interest, but was not aware of any noticeable effect. is feeding pollen at a time of year when day-length, wind and low temperature are the main constraints to colony development an unnecessary tweek?