Huge swarm of bees descend on Leeds pathway

A huge swarm of bees were spotted resting near a pathway in Headingley.
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Jessica Jane captured this amazing photo of the swarm on the path behind Queenswood Social Club in Queenswood Drive yesterday (Tuesday).

She said: "My reaction was to take a photo cos I thought it was amazing but then I posted on Facebook because I wasn't sure if they needed to be moved.

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"I know they are endangered so wanted to make sure they didn't need to be moved to a safer place.

The bees in Headingley.The bees in Headingley.
The bees in Headingley.

"I hung around for five minutes and warned a pregnant woman walking past not to get too close."

Honey bees swarm either because the hive has become too crowded so they split into two or more groups, with one group remaining in the existing hive, or in other cases all bees including the queen abandon the existing hive completely due to problems such as lack of food or water, disease infestation or frequent disturbance.

Jessica posted the photo on Leedsplace, with most people advising her that nothing needed to be done.

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One said: "They're homeless bees - the queen has landed there so they all land there to protect her. They will move when the queen moves."

Jessica Jane captured this image.Jessica Jane captured this image.
Jessica Jane captured this image.

Another person said: "They'll have zero interest in stinging anyone unless they're interfered with.

"I had a bee nest in my garden (not this size, though) and they were buzzing past me to and fro for ages. Never got stung once."

Another commenter added: "This is amazing! Yeah like most of them have said, just leave them as they are, they will move in a couple days, maybe even sooner, bees actually get pretty tired from all the pollinating."

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