Swallows

[fiat500bee]

One of our hives opens straight out to a flat field which is currently "swarming" with swallows. It's pretty obvious what is attracting them today, although they have been there in previous years in any case. Hundreds, maybe thousands of bees are hatching daily, but could this predation affect the numbers in the hive to any extent, or do bees have another clever technique of which I am not yet aware?

 

[joelsoo]

i saw similar with mine near my apiary at home too. a robin jumping around nipping a couple of bees, i think its ok if its just a 1 robin, but not sure if its alot as you described. just be mindful if its during requeening and mated queen flies off to mate and get eaten. and not sure what u can do other than hope for the best..

 

[Erichalfbee]

Swarming swallows around here are after insects rising in the mornings and they also follow livestock around.
Yes they might take a few bees but I doubt they will empty your hives.
As said Mating queens and drones might be at higher risk