Well the HSB survived the winter unlike the BG. Messing around with the feeder to make sure it was in working order and did test fire & the cc & HSB where hungry! The have grown a bunch since stocking last May! Just wished my BG survived.

I'd say if your cc survived your BG survived their just hiding..

HSB are probably the most susceptible to winter kill of the 3 species, so if they made it all the other species did. You may have a few mortalities here and there, but should be OK.

I've never found a dead hsb have found everything else listed though multiple times..

Been my experience they are the least likely to float and be seen. They usually find the bottom and deep water at that.

How do you know they've died then?

Water is so clear you can see em laying on the bottom in 6' of water. Many ponds aren't that clear though and you likely never will know for sure until they just don't show up at feeding time anymore...

I guess I'm lucky mine are usually first back to the feeder every spring..