The swarm came out of a opservation hive and went to a pine tree, it stayed there for about 45 mins and then when back to the hive. What are they doing?
Usually they do that because the queen didn't go with the swarm but I've seen them go back when bad weather set in as well.
They likely will leave again.
...JP
Ya, they are going to swarm again. The queen was just not ready but the hive was.
Its been raining off and on all week and in the 50s today, the opervation hive has 12 frames in it and it is just full of bees. I have two swarm traps set up with lemongrass, maybe i will be lucky and they will go in.
It happened to me during the first year.
Big swarm outside in my suburb yard. I was scared shitless.
A little kid, passing by with his father, asked him why there were so many bugs outside.
30 minutes later, they went back in the hive.
Upon inspection of the hive, I noticed the queen damaged wings so she probably could not fly.
They will most probably swarm again.