scouting for new home

[Cuckmere couple]

i have observed similar behaviour at 3 bait hives over last two days

around 200 bees flying around, looking like they're measuring up etc, some 'shivering' vigorously at entrance etc...flying in and out and around...not purposefully entering and leaving as you'd expect in a colony

is this normal behaviour for scouting? im trying to find somewhere to read up on what behaviour to look for etc

there are no stores in the hives so not robbing

any idea how long they would do this ahead of a swarm etc

 

[Ian123]

Yes that sounds normal, bees can/do investigate days before a swarm so as to when 1 arrives could be days or hours COULD BE NEVER!! Swarms could be prevented or intercepted, they could even pick another location.