May have lost a queen...

[thenovice]

I checked a hive that raised a new queen recently. there were eggs and I spotted the queen so decided to mark her. When I let her out of the plunger cage, she took off! I caught her in the grass nearby and put her on top of the frames. she took off again and flew under my arm and away. lost track of her. the hive was obviously unsettled and the whole top and sides were full of fanning bees. after 5 minutes I closed the hive as it was very windy and reckoned the queen got blown away. hopefully she will find her way back. If not, there were plenty eggs to raise another.

lesson learned: wait a bit longer to mark the queen...

 

[Eyeman]

Hi
Happened to me a few times.
If they can fly off then they can fly back.
Bet she's back when you next look.

 

[thenovice]

I do hope so. it was a very windy day though... I will see at next weeks inspection...

 

[Anduril]

Hi
Happened to me a few times.
If they can fly off then they can fly back.
Bet she's back when you next look.

 

[thenovice]

I do hope so. it was a very windy day though... I will see at next weeks inspection...

You were right! exceptionally good marking skills on the queen found inside. Clipping skills could obviously improve a bit

 

[kevrhcfag]

lesson learned: wait a bit longer to mark the queen...

Or make a gap in the frame and let her out near bottom of frame.

 

[thenovice]

Hi
Happened to me a few times.
If they can fly off then they can fly back.
Bet she's back when you next look.

quoting myself should be frowned upon ;-) I meant to quote you eyeman!