Swarm Question?

[asprince]

I saw a HUGE swarm today. It was about the diameter of a 5gal. bucket and about 4 - 5 feet long. There are lots of hives in the area but none with anywhere near that many bees. All the hives are single boxes or nucs. Now for the question. Is it possible that several hives swarmed and pitched in the same spot?

Steve

[JP]

I don't quite understand the question. Are you asking if its possible that several different swarms combined with each other and then rested together in one giant cluster?


...JP

[asprince]

Yes. Or did a hive swam and later another one or two swarmed and joined the first swarm already hanging in the tree?

Steve

[iddee]

It sounds more like a tree was cut and they absconded.

[dpence]

It sounds more like a tree was cut and they absconded.

That sounds reasonable. 

[Brian D. Bray]

On the other hand, swarms large enough to nearly fill a 5 gallon bucket can occasionally be found.  Always as a primary swarm, never as an after swarm.  It could be a hive absconding but it is just as likely a very large swarm.  We used to calls those a double deep swarm--highly prized.

[JP]

Yes. Or did a hive swam and later another one or two swarmed and joined the first swarm already hanging in the tree?

Steve

I think the really large swarms we see are absconds or even primary swarms. My largest seem to be early or late summer, which to me would point towards an abscond.

Something really huge this time of year could be a very large primary swarm or an abscond.

Most people tell me the swarm cluster we see now was bigger yesterday, so they seem to lose bees more than gain them as the days go on.


...JP