First swarm of 2015

On arriving at the apiary, a swarm was issuing. It was rather a messy affair with lots of bees on the outside of the hive, on the stand and on the ground.

After about 30 minutes, the hive entrance was back to normal and a swarm of about 1 kg was clustered the other side of the hedge in the background of the photos below. Scouts were investigating the 2-box bait hive on the right.

After another ten minutes or so, the alighting board and front of the bottom box were again covered with hundreds of bees, almost all fanning and exposing Nasonov glands.