Hived swarm ready for 2nd deep. Lately most afternoons has had about 10 minutes of bees boiling out and then coming back. Somebody have gas? Girls hear there was a shoe sale? Tired of hanging round the house? Everbody got to go the bee-room at the same time? What's happening here? Pretty awe-inspiring :shock: whatever it is.
Thanx....John :?
New bees getting ready to forage. It is orientation flights. Getting used to the look of the hive and surrounding area.
Thanx for the info. That was one of my guesses, but this is my first colony. I figured if they were going to leave, it's ok cuz they're free bees....Thanx again........John
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfaqs.htm#orientation
My bees do the same every now and then. Thousands just come out and starts flying around, taking off and landing. I think as the older forager bees dies because of age a new generation of foragers is inducted. I think it is a healthy sign that your queen is laying and the broods are healthy :lol:! Cheers to that :)!
-Rodni
Mine do too, it is fascinating to watch them. I always try to keep track of just one to see what they actually do but always lose it! :-x I might have to catch & mark a couple to see..as long as it doesn't hurt em! Jody
This is fascinating to watch - we have it happen almost daily between 4 and 6. We think our "rush hour" is a combo of orientation flights and it being the hottest time of the day for where our hive is located. By 5 pm it is probably pretty darn hot in that box.
Here is a 30 sec video of our rush hour on a semi-busy day. Its a little far away but you get the idea:
(http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll56/threeltlbirds/th_RushHourattheHiveSummerSolsticeJune.jpg) (http://s285.photobucket.com/albums/ll56/threeltlbirds/?action=view¤t=RushHourattheHiveSummerSolsticeJune.flv)