Third Swarm

After two days of heavy rain, the third swarm totally ignored the nuc under which they were resting, and took off. After checking the likely spots (Murray shed, Meserves roof and Donnelly's shower) I checked my remaining swarm trap at the top of Farm Hill and sure enough they have moved in! I will give them a week or two to get going building comb and queen laying, and then will move back into the bee yard. So will be up to seven hives (two survivors from last year, two new from this spring's nucs, and three swarms).

Most supers are empty, but one hive has filled out one of its supers, which weighs about 30 pounds, so will be organizing an Island extraction party in a few weeks.

Fourth of July - Swarm Season

After over two straight weeks of rain, on the first sunny day one hive cast of a number of swarms and bees disappeared like shrimp at the Fidelity Christmas party. One swarm conveniently settled into a nuc in the bee yard and I moved into a spare hive. Second swarm is in a swarm trap - I will let them settle in and then move to another (my last) spare deep. Third swarm has not decided where to go but now is under a third nuc across Farm Hill road with no intention of moving in. Heavy rain in the forecast so will wait until it clears up to figure out what to do next.

Pulled three frames from the super from one hive, and had an extraction party (first!) at our house. Got six pounds of honey, bottled and labelled with my brother's label design, primarily for adding to a special Cushings Island beer that my neice's fiance (professional brewer) is making for a fundraiser. This super has lots more so I will schedule and Island extraction party in a few weeks.