Open air swarm colony at the local airport. 6/19/2013

[buzzbee]

I got my second swarm call from my friend Jeff Corson. He works at the local airport and this swarm set up housekeeping on a tree branch next to the perimeter fence. This is the first time I have seen an open air colony up north here. I have heard of them, just not seen them personally.  I didn't find the queen but these bees were very calm and were building some comb on the branch. As soon as I shook them in the box,they were fanning the familiar lemon pledge smelling pheremone quite profusely. With the exception of a few stragglers early on, even the returning foragers were returning to the new house. We went for a coffe and returned just as the sun was ready to set and the remaning bees had found their way to the box. I put a screened top on and didn't even bother to close the entrance for the ride home in the trunk. I got home after sunset, set the hive on the blocks and listened to them humming away in a relaxed state. Great retrieval!!

http://s93.photobucket.com/user/kwrabbit/library/Open%20air%20colony%20Williamsport%20airport%20June%202013

[iddee]

Nice catch. Good size, too.

PS.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY

[buzzbee]

Thanks Iddee! :)

[blanc]

This is the first one I encountered in an oak tree earlier this year.
Blanc

[annette]

Happy Birthday Ken and nice swarm removal. They made some weird comb there.

[BeeMaster2]

Nice job. Nice birthday present Ken. I also have a hive that was an open air hive. They are one of the most docile hives that I have. Made 2 mediums of honey this year already.
Jim

[D Coates]

Looks like a great birthday present!  Happy birthday to you.  You pulled their fat out of the fire.  At the very least the bush was too small to support a completely established hive (capped brood and stores).  They had no chance had you not come along.  Were there eggs in any of the drawn comb?

[buzzbee]

No eggs yet in the comb on the tree. the wax was really way,indicating it was pretty fresh. I think they had just decided they were not moving on for whatever reason.There was considerable nectar in the fresh comb.Nothing capped.