Mating queen possibly missed the hive

[Levitt53]

I have what I think is a mating swarm that are collecting on the stand to the side of the hive. The colony was quite prolific at the start of the year although I haven't seen the queen at all. The brood pattern became a bit patch and then on 22nd June there were 6 emergency sealed queen cells on one frame. I had checked them 7 days before. I left just one sealed QC so the timing is about right for the virgin queen to be going out. I am assuming they will find their way in ok. I am about to pop my bee suit on and go and see what is happening. Any advice?

 

[enrico]

Probably too late for advice. What did you find?
E

 

[Levitt53]

Thanks. It had died down by the time I got there. There were small isolated patches of bees. There did seem to be a bit of fighting going on although it has rained since so they are all disbursed. Fingers crossed I have some brood in 10 days or so.