I heard the distinct sound of a swarm of bees after I was close enough that it was louder than the sprayers in the orchards a mile away..
It was just gathering up in the tree as I noticed it. Wasn't much activity around the hives but there were a number of bees circling.
1/n
It seems as though it was another fire drill but this one didn't take as long for them to return to the hive.
It's been hot the last few days, and it was only 61F / 16C low this morning. The bees have been bearding late into the night, maybe a bit more on this north hive.
I was planning on doing a hive check this week to see how the split that should have a new queen is doing. Now I'll have to see what the queen situation is with the old one I marked.
2/n
Video of the bees when they returned to the hive.
3/3
#beekeeping #apiary #swarm #BeeSwarm #SwarmSeason #BeeFireDrill
I looked around the hives on the ground, because I saw a small cluster of bees on the ground when they were swarmed up in the trees, and found a queen crawling around, or away from a couple of bees chasing it.
She could fly but barely when I picked her up with a stick. Finally got her on the empty hive and got a pic. Currently caught in the queen catcher.
4/3 (+1 /s)
@donkeyherder She seems ok, I think got booted from the hive or just couldn't fly with the swarm that left. There are others hanging out with her so they're not trying to kill her I guess. Going to give her and the attendants some sugary goo and let them spend the night in the a little cage.
Was too windy to check that hive today.
Tom
donkey herder, fowl friend