- Joined
- Sep 5, 2017
- Messages
- 1,031
- Reaction score
- 257
- Location
- West Wickham/ N Kent BR4
- Hive Type
- National
- Number of Hives
- 3
Is this familiar to anyone? I had it several times last year, with one hive it went on for several summer weeks.
Today, rather cool & some heavy showers with sunny spells, many bees exited to front of hive around noon (1pm GMT) and then moved themselves under the hive OMF forming a dish/plate mass about 25cm/10" across and 5cm/2" deep in centre.
I have been waiting for the best day to do next inspect and planned for tomorrow: the warmer, sunny Sunday 2nd. Last detail inspect just 1 fun cup and looking regular on 19/4 and quick between the boxes look on 26/4 did not reveal any cells or large drone zones.
I will keep an eye from time to time but suspect those under will remain under. Most other bees are just normal foraging etc and ignoring the dish. One or two join them every few minutes by crawling down.
I could try and gather them to waiting brood box.
Last year I had 2 or 3 Q- sessions between 2 colonies (and a recombined split) where Q just seemed to go absent. It seemed like a Q might have left scent under as it remained an attractive place for many weeks.
I wonder if HM might be in that dish - perhaps they were emerging to swarm but put off by rain and cool?...
Any thoughts?
Today, rather cool & some heavy showers with sunny spells, many bees exited to front of hive around noon (1pm GMT) and then moved themselves under the hive OMF forming a dish/plate mass about 25cm/10" across and 5cm/2" deep in centre.
I have been waiting for the best day to do next inspect and planned for tomorrow: the warmer, sunny Sunday 2nd. Last detail inspect just 1 fun cup and looking regular on 19/4 and quick between the boxes look on 26/4 did not reveal any cells or large drone zones.
I will keep an eye from time to time but suspect those under will remain under. Most other bees are just normal foraging etc and ignoring the dish. One or two join them every few minutes by crawling down.
I could try and gather them to waiting brood box.
Last year I had 2 or 3 Q- sessions between 2 colonies (and a recombined split) where Q just seemed to go absent. It seemed like a Q might have left scent under as it remained an attractive place for many weeks.
I wonder if HM might be in that dish - perhaps they were emerging to swarm but put off by rain and cool?...
Any thoughts?