This method was told to me by a beekeeper with many years of experience:
If you are moving hives short distances it helps to place a piece of wood on
the ground in front of the hive. The wood should be long, say a fence
pailing, and painted a light colour. The wood should be placed in front of
the hive so that it points to the hive. By placing this in front of the hive
a few days before you wish to move them, they begin to use it as a landing
marker. As you move the hive a short distance the bees seem to reorientate
on the white landing marker.Sometimes if they come in at the wrong position
they fly around the hive to realign themselves with the landing marker.
He also told me that if you are moving 2 hives this method also helps. They
learn their hive is on either side of the landing mark ( which is placed
between the two hives) and when they are moved a few days later it helps to
reduce drift between hives.
I haven't tried it yet but it sounds ok
Any Comments ???