We were quite busy last week catching swarms. This is the first swarm which very conveniently came to rest in a low branch of a pear tree in the garden. Our son spotted it - or rather he heard it as buzzing around before it settled it made a fantastic noise! Subsequent swarms involved ladders and straw baskets but we forgot the camera. Suffice to say that we now have an additional three colonies and are waiting to see which of these are strong enough to continue on their own and which need to be united with another colony.
The swarm settles in the tree
Contemplation! Unfortunately we didn't get a shot of Max cutting the branch and lowering it into the box. I think our cameraman was preparing to do a runner!
Oh boy, did they buzz around!
All is calm -the first bees have found the queen in the hive and are fanning, indicating to the others where to go. It's amazing watching the swarm just march up the stand (well all right, the plastic box!) and straight into the hive.
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2 comments:
That's great news! Still much earlier than here, but well done. You've got the makings of a ton of honey to sell this Autumn...
Our bee's seem to have departed for good. Although I've been waiting for the past 13 years for this to happen, I'm kind of sad about it.
It's good luck to have bee's in your roof, just not in a flat roof that needs insulating! Guess we've another DIY job to do now, before the next lot arrive...
We seem to have taken masses of swarms this year and have one waiting to be collected at a friend's house a few miles away. Bees gone mad and I love honey!
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