Hi All

There are many conflicting views in beekeeping.   I understand the logic in marking queens to keep track of when she first appeared in a colony, I do not, however, follow the practice.  The other practice that comes to mind is the clipping of a queen’s wings.  I understand that the logic behind this is to prevent swarming.  
The day after we arrived in Ireland I was talking to my son in his garden, which is beside an apiary, when we noticed a swarm emerging from one of the hives.  It soon alighted on a windbreak, but before we returned with a box of frames most of the bees had returned to the hive.  Apparently, the queen was clipped and couldn’t fly.  They have attempted to swarm several times since with the same result.  
I expect that they will attempt to swarm again as virgins emerge but it has been a week and they continue to return.

Bob Darrell 
Cloughjordan Tipperary Ireland
53N7W
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