Swarms expected in July

One swarm appeared as a beard of bees on the large wooden butterfly

Honeybees usually swarm in July but Arundel Wetland Centre had two clusters appear early from its bug hotel in the meadow maze.

The first swarm spent a few days on a fence rail, while the second swarm appeared as a beard of bees on the large wooden butterfly figure in the meadow.

Worthing Beekeepers Association helped remove the first swarm, as it was beside a footpath used by visitors.

Volunteer Peter Ashley, an ex-beekeeper, said: "Honeybees usually swarm in July. If you find a honeybee swarm in your garden, don’t approach it or try to scare the bees away. They will eventually move off when their scouts return.”

When honeybee colonies grow too large, a swarm of bees will leave to start a new colony. The swarm will settle and send out scouts to look for a new nesting site. This usually happens midsummer but the mild winter at Arundel meant the colony there had a high survival rate and quickly grew too large for the bug hotel.

Paul Stevens, grounds manager, said: “We were surprised to see the second honeybee swarm as we weren’t seeing a lot of activity from the bug hotel after the first swarm left. It has been a great opportunity for our visitors to see nature in action.”

WWT Arundel Wetland Centre, in Mill Road, Arundel, is open from 9.30am to 5.30pm, seven days a week.