Relax, worms just like it wetter than we would expect. Wait and they will probably go back into the bedding. Others will make the same trip.

I would fish the ones out of the water in the bottom but that is just me.

Hi chilli; The worms will gather in thoes wet places. They love the moisture that is full of air. Remember to keep a catch pail under the spigot and leave it open. Put dry paper sherdds in the base to help the worms stay alive in it. When the number of worms in the basen gets to more than you went down there put them gently back in the working part of the bin. I clean off the top cover every time I feed. Heres a link it has pics so may take time to load if you have dial up service.

Here is a link that might be useful: COWs with worms!!!!

Thanks everyone. It's not producing tea yet and it has reached the 'ribs' so I need to add the second layer soon. But, there's still some matter that needs to be broken down in the 1st tray. Should I go ahead and add the 2nd tray anyway?

I dont have a COW but have seen a demo. HA, Ha makes me a know-it-not
Its the castings that have to be at or above the ribs. You take all the uneaten stuff and put it in the next tray. That tray has to sit on the compost tight. So the worms can travel back and forth. If a gap develops between the trays the worms can't get back and forth. So you have to check that on it and add bedding when the compost settles.

chilli the liquid in the bottom tray is not tea but leachate. Worm tea is produced by placing castings in water and aerating it. If you can o worms has alot of liquid in the bottom tray then it may be a little too wet, so add some more bedding like cardboard to soak it up. i've had my can o worms for a year now and am only on my second tray, but i think i may have drowned a few worms for a while there.