Swarm

One of our bee colonies swarmed at lunchtime today. This was where they settled and eventually calmed down. The sky had been full of flying bees and the noise was incredible. After watching for an hour we donned suits and cut the swarm down and popped it into a spare hive which we hurriedly pressed into action. So, temporarily at least, we have three hives. Hope it stays that way so fingers crossed.

Looking in the hive they'd swarmed from you'd never know that half the colony had gone. Still thousands of bees, plenty if brood and stores. If we'd been out for the day and the swarm had vanished we probably wouldn't have noticed. Presume it was a bit too crowded so some decided to move out.

Anyhow, not something that happens every day and a first for me.