At first thought it was just because the blossom is out on our fruit trees next to the hives, getting them excited - but after watching a cloud of bees seemed to sway in one direction, then another, and then couds bees were circulating around the hedge - I went a little closer and realised there was a swarm hanging off one or two branches of the plum tree, right next to the hedge.
Sorry, I didn't stop to take photos - quickly got kitted up in bee suit, whilst thinking what I had that I could use as a receptacle.
Ended up with a bit of a Heath-Robinson affair - On top of a plastic crate :
Balanced a top box on top of a feeder tray. I then cut off the branches covered in swarm and brushed the bees gently into the top box, before putting another feeder tray on top, and covered that with a plastic lid to make it a little bit weatherproof. The bees can get in and out, as I left the top box slightly offset - lets hope they don't move on!
I checked both original hives - still plenty of bees inside - but according to the theory, in one of them there will be no queen, but there should be queen cells waiting to hatch out - then a virgin queen will have to make a mating flight, before being able to repopulate the hive. I'm thinking its the new hive that has swarmed, but for now, can't be 100% sure
I'll have to try and get to API- distribution tomorrow - if the swarm is still in situ - to get another hive., and move the swarm over. Watch this space !