A Swarm In April is worth? A Barrel of Maple?

 Just before I picked up the children from school on Tuesday I saw that the garden was full of bees. A Swarm in April! 

I went and got the children and told the girls to suit up. The warm landed in our neighbours garden, but before we could get set up they took to the air again. Luck was with us and they landed on the fence. 

Before we got suited I couldn't find a hat to wear under my suit, Middlest told us I was silly not to wear one (the chances of being stung on the face are much higher without), well she got to say I told you so as when I got the bees off the fence I got stung! 

We got the bees in a box with a sheet under them and then waited for as many as possible to join them. 

No fuss as we got the bees on a ramp, but as we watched we spotted the queen and realised that this swarm was already one of ours. 

We then inspected our two hives and saw the one hive was down on numbers. The other was jammed packed and full of queen cells so we had that to sort. We're now thinking we'll split that swarm at the weekend. 

The girls were brilliant throughout, they've taken to it like ducks to water. Cool as you like and seem to just know what we should be doing. 

Looks like it could be an exciting season ahead!