Huge flight Activity in late afternoon

[Hivehead]

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 :?

[Jerrymac]

New bees getting ready to forage. It is orientation flights. Getting used to the look of the hive and surrounding area.

[Hivehead]

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

[Michael Bush]

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfaqs.htm#orientation

[Rodni73]

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

[poka-bee]

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

[Jessaboo]

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: