buzz buzz buzz went the buzzer

[pensnest]

Chez Pen was abuzz with excitement today. Beast and I were toiling in the back garden (picking up stones/sieving soil) when he remarked that the bees seemed very loud today. When we looked up, we saw an agitated cloud of them boiling above the beehives. The cloud drifted towards the house and sideways a bit, and eventually the swarm coalesced into a dark mass hanging high up in next-door's sweet chestnut tree, which partially overhangs the fence between us.

We called our beekeeper to let him know about the swarm, and by the time he and his partner arrived it had become that dangling black lump about, hmm, thirty feet up. There was a fair bit of discussion, and eventually we hoisted out the long ladder from the garage, propped it against the sweet chestnut, and the female beekeeper went up into the tree to get a better view of the situation.

Well. She made some progress along the likeliest limb, but had to abandon the attempt as it didn't feel safe. So the two beekeepers inspected the hives, which are both thriving, apparently, kidnapped a couple of unimpressed queen bees, and took themselves off.

We don't know whether the bees are still in the tree. Couldn't see them, from the house, but it wasn't always easy to get a good view.

Anyway, that was our morning. Tonight, there are fireworks, though I am still treating myself as quarantined and have had no thought of going out to see them.

Comments

[yarnofariadne]

That is terrifying. I hope the beekeepers are able to solve the problem!

[pensnest]

I think the bees have solved it for themselves, as they have disappeared! But there is a hotline for people to call if they see a swarm, or a bunch of bees dangling about somewhere.