Mating flight that acted like a swarm?

[Novice]

I got a call from my husband saying one of my hives was swarming.  I was at work.  The hive in question had been split and left queenless.  I didn't think it was swarming as it had had no queen.  I asked my husband if the swarm could be reached. He said No, it's 30 feet up an oak tree. I asked him to just watch and see what happened.  He called back about an hour later and said,"well I don't know what happened, but they all just went back in the hive." I asked if he was positive, and he said "I was standing here watching, so yeah, I'm sure." I got home and checked my notes, and the new queen should have been on mating flights. Anyone seen anything like this?

[Jen]

Yup! I had a 10 swarm adventure this last spring, two of the swarms acted just like that. In my opinion, if the bees actually landed and clustered outside of the hive, and then within an hour or two went back to the hive, the queen didn't go with them for whatever reason. 

My question is, how many days went by between the split and the swarm?

[Bakersdozen]

Nice husband you have there, Novice.  He deserves a kiss for staying and watching.

[Bamabww]

Very interesting. I've never seen that myself but have wondered if such a thing might happen. Guess this is proof. Glad you didn't lose the swarm after all.

[Jen]

I know Bama, Right? when this happens you're left there scratching your head wondering what the heck That Was All About