Swarm back - is this the same swarm which has returned?

[einsteinagogo]

I've just caught a large swarm in my apiary site (approx 10m from my hives), this was much larger than any of the casts I've previously caught in my garden, I could feel by the weight of the box, when they dropped in.

I'm puzzled, a swarm turned up in the same place on Monday, it was spotted by a friend and another individual that used to keep bees, and she stated it does not look happy, it's not going to stay, and then before I got there (45mins) to box it up, it had gone within an hour. (it also rained heavy, in between, but I've seen clumps of swarms in the rain, don't usually fly off!)

I thought this swarm, had come form my small colonies (now in nationals), but now after discussing with another witness, they stated that it would appear, bees were on the roof and back of one of my nationals, and then went off into the hedge, which later left.

I've checked my hives today at the apiary site, and although busy foraging, they do not look like they have swarmed, e.g. no bees outside covering the hive, no bees outside with bums in the air (I'll inspect to be sure) -normal activity on OSR and fields beans.

Is it possible, this swarm, up and left on Monday due to weather, went back to it's hive, and has come out today early, it was 10.45am, I got the call, and had read swarms come out later in the day, seems early...

comments

 

[oliver90owner]

Think here.

If if is a prime, she will likely be laying in 3 -4 days. If she is, you had better check out your colonies for swarm cells - on second thoughts you should have done that already.....

Think also, why would there be bees on the outside of a swarmed hive? Why would there be bees exposing their nasonov glands?

Nearly anything is possible. Most is unlikely. Some is impossible.

 

[einsteinagogo]

Deleted!

Deleted!

 

[einsteinagogo]

Think here.

If if is a prime, she will likely be laying in 3 -4 days. If she is, you had better check out your colonies for swarm cells - on second thoughts you should have done that already.....

Think also, why would there be bees on the outside of a swarmed hive? Why would there be bees exposing their nasonov glands?

Nearly anything is possible. Most is unlikely. Some is impossible.

with my thinking head on....answering your questions

from my basic understanding, bees left on hive after swarming (those that missed the event or did not leave), and bees trying to attract bees which have left, back to the colony that have flown away.

BUT, today I've not seen any of this activity on any of my hives in any apiary I have!

Are those the tell tale signs of swarming from hive, e.g. externally? Unless you witness it, or open up and inspect and find QCs. (sealed).

so is it likely this is the same swarm, which was seen on Monday, which has returned today?