Bees that swarm will often settle 10 to 50m from their original hive. When honey bees swarm, the cluster usually settles quite close to the original hive at first — often within 10 to 50m (30–160 ft), though sometimes up to a few hundred metres away. This first stop is called a temporary bivouac cluster. The swarm hangs on a tree branch, fence post, hedge, wall, or similar object while scout bees search for a permanent nesting site.
Typical sequence:
Swarm leaves hive - Usually with the old queen and around 30–70% of the workers. They often fly in a swirling cloud for a few minutes.
Initial settling point - They gather fairly nearby because: the queen is not a strong long-distance flyer, the swarm needs to regroup or scouts need a central reference point. Most first clusters are within sight or easy range of the parent colony.
Scouting phase - Scout bees then search outward for cavity sites. They may investigate locations several kilometres away. This phase can last from a few hours to several days depending on weather and site quality.
Final move - Once scouts agree on a site, the whole swarm flies directly there. Final nest distances are commonly 300 m to several km from the original hive.
