Escapees or just lost?

[Philthy]

Interesting phenomenon (for me) occurred the other day.

I was walking past my apple tree, and noticed a dark lump about the size of a cricket ball 7' up in the centre of the tree. Closer inspection revealed it to be a writhing clump of bees surrounding one of the branches, with a few more flying about close by.
They seemed pretty focused on whatever they were doing i.e. ignored me completely.
And they were gone by the following afternoon.

Anybody know what might have triggered that behaviour? They were definitely honey bees. I do recall somebody saying once that honeybees won't survive a cold night if they're not under cover somewhere..?

[sparrow100]

mini swarm?

[seasprout]

You saw a swarm of Bees that were looking for a new home. When hives get overful & new queens are born, some bees leave to find a new place to set up. The ones you saw where facing a rest before moving on.

[veggiechicken]

Probably a small swarm (a cast). They'll have moved on .

[noviceveggrower]

Probably a swarm. The bees in my plot swarmed the other day.

[Madasafish]

As others have said, a small swarm.

I collected one yesterday from 6.30pm to 7.10pm, and hived it in a small nucleus hive. About the size of a small melon. Very placid.. the house owner watched with interest..(I am a registered Swarm Collector)

With a decent summer, it should grow into a bigger hive and survive the winter...

[Nicos]

Gosh...I never knew they would swarm in such small numbers!

Interesting info there Madasafish!

[alldigging]

Gosh...I never knew they would swarm in such small numbers!

Interesting info there Madasafish!

They do if they are a cast swarm or change spots - some bees will forget they're in the swarm and fly home.

BBKA has a swarm page to help people find a beekeeper to collect them.
Find a Swarm Collector - British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) - Supporting honey bees in Britain