cluster of bees head back to hive

[fullframe45]

Went to check on hives today and there was a cloud of bees hovering round an old Hawthorn Bush about twenty yards from their hive.
After half an hour they took off and i followed them for about 100 yrds across a field.They then flew back to the Hawthorn Bush and started to cluster on a branch ,propably about half size of a rugby ball.
They then flew back to the hive and started moving back inside.
I will go through the hive tomorrow and see if i can spot anything but being a newbie just curious what happened.Any sugestions.

 

[Repwoc]

Went to check on hives today and there was a cloud of bees hovering round an old Hawthorn Bush about twenty yards from their hive.
After half an hour they took off and i followed them for about 100 yrds across a field.They then flew back to the Hawthorn Bush and started to cluster on a branch ,propably about half size of a rugby ball.
They then flew back to the hive and started moving back inside.
I will go through the hive tomorrow and see if i can spot anything but being a newbie just curious what happened.Any sugestions.

Sounds like you were very lucky. Why wait until tomorrow to take action? Was the queen clipped?

 

[pargyle]

I'd be into that hive NOW .. sounds like a swarm and the queen didn't join in - if she was clipped could be walking back to the hive.

Other possibility is that they have superceded and what you saw was the virgin queens entourage ... they sometimes set off with her but don't usually stay with her and return to the hive.

Either way ... now is the time to look ... leave it at your peril.

 

[Bee Boys]

I'd be into that hive NOW .. sounds like a swarm and the queen didn't join in - if she was clipped could be walking back to the hive.

Other possibility is that they have superceded and what you saw was the virgin queens entourage ... they sometimes set off with her but don't usually stay with her and return to the hive.

Either way ... now is the time to look ... leave it at your peril.

I agree it was probably a swarm and I would not leave it till tomorrow,

 

[fullframe45]

I will only be able to check early evening due to other commitments so i will have a look then.Thanks.

 

[fullframe45]

Did a check and bees all back in hive ,so not swarmed.But found Qcells sealed (panicked) anyway i started the snellgrove plan without the board as Wally Shaw described in his pamphlet.Right or wrong its done now so just have to see what happens.