Bad timing

More adventures.  I did a split earlier in the year, putting the queen and some bees into a six frame nuc.  They built up well and I added a second six frame box.  I expected they would continue to thrive but the subsequent cool, windy and wet weather meant I didn't get to look at them again.  I did, however, order some more foundation and I was happily making up frames yesterday, planning to give them more room today, when I heard the roar of a swarm.  It had been raining in the morning and they chose a brief sunny spell on a very showery afternoon.  I walked round to my neighbour's garden to check where they had landed and found them in a mahonia.

I saw black clouds coming in from the north and moments later it was pouring with rain.  Plenty of time for a cup of tea and a check on England's (lack of) progress in the Test.  When I got back an hour or so later there were a lot of very soggy bees, including quite a few on the ground.  I wedged a nuc into the top of a stepladder under the swarm and gave the bush a good shake.  A lot of bees fell in and I put a crown board partly on top and watched.

Some bees were fanning but most were mooching around.  Then I noticed a flash of green amongst the throng. The queen was wandering around, mumbling and grumbling, asking whose idea it was to swarm on a day like this.

So I tipped her into the box and the others set about following her in, with lots of fanning at the entrance.

I put the box on the ground to encourage the bees there to go in and came home for another cup of tea and a check on the cricket (not good news).

After another heavy shower I looked again and most of the bees were inside.  Later that evening I brought them home and set them up right next to where they started from.  I just had time to pop in the frames I had made up earlier before it started raining again.  This photo was taken under the shelter of an umbrella.

It is said that a swarm in July is not with a fly but this one is a fair size.  If it builds up well it may go into the winter.  If not I can unite it with the parent colony.