Swarm dates for Qld

[max2]

We had a large swarm here yesterday. The first proper swarms for the season.
Not sure what made them take off - dry as a bone, low humidity and not much to forage.
I put out some trap hives - we shall see if they work...

[Bamboo]

From one of your hives Max?

[max2]

very likley...

We took some more honey off today and one looked pretty empty

[Bamboo]

Did you catch it?

[max2]

sadly no - it was very high up in a tree. A large one...I even set out a couple of trap hives.

[Bamboo]

Oh dear never mind. Had one high up in a tree just next to the apiary last year. First time in my life I have seen a swarm land. I was in the apiary and wondered what all the noise was and looked up and there it was all just coming together. Too high to get and they moved on within an hour or so. Wasn't from mine so was happy about that.

[max2]

Just had a look at the swarm dates in previous years and noticed that in 2018 the first swarm was recorded on the 24. July!

In other years late August seems quite common for swarms.
No signs of Drones here as yet but a bloke who keeps bees on the coast  told me yesterday that he opened a lid and a swarm of drones excaped - the queen had been laying above the excluder.

[felmo1]

Here over the otherside of the range drones have been obvious gor the last 3 weeks or so.  Drone cells on a couple of frames in the majority of hives.  Bee numbers are certainly increacing but not the honey stores.  Still waiting for a good nectar source before I become over cautious with swarming.
Alan

[max2]

19. 9.2020 - Two " big " swarms in maleny 4552

[Bee North]

Went to a club meeting last Saturday. Two members have had their bees swarm around the Cairns area..and so it begins!

[max2]

5. 10. 2020 - a swarm " bigger then a football" up Ahern's road

[max2]

Looks like the swarm season is pretty well over here.
I had one swarm as far as I know. Making splits does prevent swarms realy well.

My mate in Witta had pretty well every one of his hives swarm at least one time and my mate up the valley had about 50% of his hives swarm. I don't mind swarms if you can catch them but mine seem to pick tall gums.
Trap hives did not work for me this year.

[max2]

7. 2. 2021 - Conondale.
Just went to one of my yards to move a nuc into a 10 frames box.
Right next to me a hive which was a nuc just a few months ago took off. Biggest swarm of the season - sadly settled too high for me to catch it.
I have had some exceptional queens this year - amazing egg producers- and it showed the difference between a good queen and an amazing queen.
Lost this one

[max2]

We had a number of cloudy and wet days...and then this morning this burst of bright sun.
I could not believe to see a small swarm take off.
I'm pretty sure they had no queens and went back home.

[Bee North]

Hi Max
That is what happens up here through the wet...even now. After prolonged periods of rain being all cooped up they swarm on the first clear day.
Aparently in this case swarming is triggered due to the fact that few foragers are leaving the hive and they feel congested. Also the rain brings with it flows and pollen.
I'm still managing swarming up here. I dont have a swarm season. I only get a swarm break over winter and that's about it.
On the up side it's perfect for raising queens!

[max2]

30. 8. 21 - First swarm here for the season. I missed it - too high for my old body.

[Bee North]

I'm guessing you have plenty of drones then Max...time to split yet?
My hives are still building up in my home yard. Only raising a few token drones nowhere near swarming yet which is odd!
My other yard is getting closer though.

[Bee North]

Ok...just read your other post. Keep us up to date on the splits!

[max2]

4. September - just back from hiving a swarm in my village of Crystal Waters.
About 8 feet up but not a big issue.
We will see if the stay.
They are in a quarntine area of the yard and I will keep an eye on them

[Bee North]

It's all happening down there Max!