What on earth are they doing?

[bpmurray]

One hive is doing this - any idea why? It's been pretty cool and very windy today, so I hope it isn't a superseded queen looking for love.
https://youtu.be/FjME2UA4qgE

 

[Chrisfnvs]

looks like four or five dead bees there and some fighting, so could be a few robbers trying their luck

 

[REDWOOD]

Not knowing the state inside your hive I would say preparations to swarm, a lot of bumping and democracy going on

 

[bpmurray]

What should I do? It's a strong hive so I could take the "there are plenty more where they came from" attitude - a half dozen casualties definitely won't be noticed. There are two hives beside each other and the other hive, equally strong, doesn't seem to be doing anything.

 

[Arfermo]

Seen any QCs? Queen clipped?

 

[BeeJayBee]

The only way you'll know what's going on inside is to take a look.

 

[bpmurray]

I have left it alone for the past 10 days or so, thinking the swarming season had passed, but I'll have a look in a while - they're doing it again so I'm guessing it has nothing to do with robbing.

 

[bpmurray]

They're still at it - live feed at http://beespi.mybluemix.net - and ti's starting to rain, so I don;'t want to open the hive, and I presume it's unlikely they'll swarm.

 

[REDWOOD]

I hate to inform you but swarm season is not over until september or even october.

 

[bpmurray]

I'm pretty sure it's robbing, having sat and watched the live feed for a while, so I've now reduced the entrance to about an inch. That, along with the rain, should quieten it a bit.