On Friday, we noticed a blob of brown on a drooping branch on one the pine trees near the pond. Close inspection revealed hundreds of Honey Bees clustered. The next day they were still gathered around that branch. We discovered with some research that when overcrowded in a hive, bees with divide their population then some will set out for a new hive. Scout bees look intensely for the new nest while the most of them wait together. This probably saves energy and protects them by staying together in one place while the scouts scout.
By Sunday morning they had all gone from the tree branch, no trace left behind of their weekend stay.
