tornado of bees

[DM]

My wife witnessed a tornado of bees starting at the hive and going up about 30-40 feet high above the hive this afternoon. She watched them for about 20 minutes and then they went back in the hive. They all seem to be back in and a Small ball at the entrance just before dark. When they do this, have they made a new queen or are they going to swarm? Is this a normal thing or is there a problem?

Dennis

[sc-bee]

If they went back in the hives most folks say orientation flights. I have seen orientation flights but not the number of bees I hear others speak of.

[TwT]

If they went back in the hives most folks say orientation flights. I have seen orientation flights but not the number of bees I hear others speak of.

I have never seen the number a bunch speak of either, the only time I see a bunch do this for a short time then return to the hive was cleansing flights, just stand under them when they do this in large numbers and you will see  :evil: , I thought it might was a swarm when I seen the first and went out there to see where they would land, took about 2 seconds and I knew it was a swarm, they covered me, mustard rain  :idunno: :lau:

they tend to do this in large numbers when its been cold or raining a lot and this is the first time most can leave the hive.

most orientation flights I see is between 50-200 bee's but a cleansing fly looks like thousands and they spread out about 30 feet and go as high as the tree tops. stand under one 1 time and you will see  :-P

[Bee Happy]

[...]most orientation flights I see is between 50-200 bee's but a cleansing fly looks like thousands and they spread out about 30 feet and go as high as the tree tops. stand under one 1 time and you will see  :-P

I'll take your word for it - honest.

[Cheryl]

Also, I've read that when a clipped queen swarms (tries to swarm), her followers take flight -- but then She finds that she can't actually GO anywhere and usually walks back into the hive, and they have no choice but to follow her back in.

That probably wouldn't look like the tornado of bees, though, would it?  :-\