swarm returning

[Fannbee]

Around noon today, I heard the low roar of a swarm from my bee yard.  At first, I thought it was this one hive swarming; however, as I watch the bees were going into the hive. Is it possible that the queen could not leave the hive and the bees had to return to the hive?

[Cindi]

Chuck and Fran.  When the queen does not leave the colony with the swarm, they will return to that particular colony.  The queen presence must be with the swarm, so yes, that is what you were seeing.  Beautiful day in the greatest of life.  Cindi

[Michael Bush]

Or a mating flight of a new queen.

[the kid]

Or a mating flight of a new queen.

does alot of the hive go with the queen on the mating flight ????
I thought the queen went pretty much on her own ,, on this flight ..
Hate to say this but ,,  I feel that I'm getting every thing out of these bee sites ,, but not putting nothing helpful in ..
always the student ,, never the teacher ....
the kid

[Michael Bush]

>does alot of the hive go with the queen on the mating flight

Not all the way there, but they sometimes leave with her, collect in a tree and then return as she flies off for the mating.

[Fannbee]

Michael, that sounds like what happen.  I beleive this hive swarm a week ago.  I got it in another hive body.