This little swarm is a little shorter in length than a wine bottle. It was hanging in a plum tree in a garden in Risborough and I was asked by the local swarm officer if I wanted to collect it. Having just finished working the hive at school, I was all togged up so set off and snipped it out of the tree with the help of a step ladder, a rake, a pair of secateurs, a cardboard box and an old sheet. It now (I hope) resides in a small nucleus hive in next door's garden. I will feed the bees some sugar syrup first thing in the morning to encourage them to stay, but so far so good. Hopefully they will feel they are on to a good thing, start laying down new comb and her highness will begin laying eggs. Once things are underway I'll transfer the colony to my full sized hive and start to keep bees proper.
Did anyone else see any bee swarms yesterday? It seems the timing was right for there were several about. If you get wind of one, let me know. Not that I have anywhere to put one, but it's fun driving around with them next to you in your car with just a sheet and a cardboard box to protect you!
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