[Beewyched]

Having moved back with 2 empty hives in May, I set them up in the garden, just to keep them out of the way while they awaited new residents.  Thought it would stay empty for some time due to the cost of nucs this year 
While we were chatting with our friend next door (taking a break from tackling our overgrown garden), we heard a loud buzzing, looked-up to see a swarm of bees flying directly overhead, then watched them as they gradually descended, like a spiralling tornado, into one of our hives - wow what an amazing sight - never seen a swarm re-hive itself before.
I'm so    I keep checking to see if they are still there.  They have now settled down for the night, so    they like their new home 

[Bionic]

Wow, lucky you. I know what you mean about the cost of new nucs as we have just bought 2 

[Beewyched]

They're still there this morning 
 
Now got to work-out a way of stopping the dogs from getting too close to the hive - 1st thing Rupert did this morning was to run straight to the hive & start sniffing around the entrance - silly Setter 
Thinking windbreak fabric maybe or even using  the pig's electric fencing - now they have ultra secure fields - or maybe both to make double sure 
 
 

[Greenerlife]

Personally, I think they are evolving to recognise hives!      Happened to me this year too, and a couple of beekeeping friends - all first time it's happened to them!  Good luck with your new hive - my newbees are settling in nicely!

[sandalfarm]

swarm from a neighbour? they will  be round to claim them

[Sudanpan]

That's great news 


I have a couple of 'bait hives' (no lure or anything just some old comb) out but no interest shown    I also lost one of mine to swarming this year so am back to trying to build up a couple of colonies to take us through the winter


Enjoy!

[Beewyched]

swarm from a neighbour? they will  be round to claim them

After all the hard work my OH did in the blazing    today, making a secure cage around the hive to keep the dogs safely away from them (dogs think it's brill - they now have the run of the whole back garden, as she used the kennel bars    ) if anyone tries to stake claim to them they can buzz off   

[Stellan Vert]

Hi from Shropshire   

Hi Beewyched

Now I have the opportunity to be jealous 

No, not really, Lucky you 
I hope they are a friendly productive colony   

SV.

[Beewyched]

Hi SV
Well, they are still here & don't seem to be fazed by us or the dogs passing backwards & forwards - so I think they're a pretty friendly bunch 
Our neighbours both sides of us are having their rendering done & I was a little concerned that the noise & dust would upset the bees - especially that they were still settling in, but they were fine    Shame really, as we've just found out that the dirty b***ers have been peeing around the side of one of our neighbour house - right by her back door - not that I would really wish my bees to give up their lives by stinging dirty men!
Bl**dy Neanderthals 

[sandalfarm]

Perhaps the urine helps the rendering stick to the walls better

[Clarebelle]

Wow, that must have been amazing to watch! You must be well chuffed 

[Beewyched]

Perhaps the urine helps the rendering stick to the walls better

    

[Stellan Vert]

Hi From Shropshire 

Hi Beewyched

We had the oposite on Saturday, there was an enormous buzzing outside, which got louder and louder,

a great cloud of bee, it was a bit like a murmouration of starlings, they settled in a tree and went quiet then about 10 minutes later the buzzing started again, I then watched the swarm fly off across the valley.

Not sure how I feel, we have lost a large proportion of a colony of bees, but 13 months ago, we gained a colony for nothing, helped them to survive over a bad winter, now there are two colonies in existance and hopefully someone now has a new colony;

amazing to watch a very primal sight.

David.

[Beewyched]

Hi David 
 
Shame you've lost them - but hopefully they'll remember how well you looked after them & next time that colony swarms they'll come back to you