Bees Rolling In Plate Of Oats All Day. Are They Hungry?

I feed wild cottontails and birds oats, among many other things. Yesterday, I saw several of what looked like honey bees, oddly rolling around in them all day. They were grabbing an oat and rolling wth it in very odd manner. And just really burying themselves into them and over them all day. I’m knowledgeable about bee basics and aware of their plight and value and some living basics, but on a non-serviceable level. I did not know the purpose for this. I did have a hypothesis though. Please advise.

My hypothesis is, due to a warmer (60s and 70s) than usual (56 average high) weather pattern, the bees have awaken from winter slumber. The plants however have not. Nothing but 3 dandelions in the yard are flowering/blooming. They have nothing to eat. Oats have a fair amount of dust/powder in the plate. Perhaps they are gathering oat dust instead of pollen to feed on. Thinking they might be hungry, I set out sugar water and what fruit I had on hand, a sliced apple and lime. I did not see them on the sugar water or fruit.

Am I on the right track that they are searching for food? If so, is there something better to offer them? I made sure the sugar was dissolved in the water, but did not boil it. Is boiling necessary? If I’m on the wrong track, is there something else they need that I can help them with?

Thanks for any advice.