The Wayward Swarm, Part 3 (283)
About this episode
Jim Tew and Jason Ferrell attempt a challenging rescue of a swarm under difficult conditions.
In this third installment of The Wayward Swarm , Jim Tew returns to the now-infamous swarm hanging high in a tree after days of cold rain and falling temperatures. Joined by longtime beekeeper friend Jason Ferrell, Jim attempts one final rescue effort for what may be one of the largest — and most ill-fated — swarms either of them has encountered. What follows is raw, field-recorded beekeeping under miserable spring conditions. With temperatures hovering near 40°F, rain moving through, and the cluster weakening by the hour, Jim and Jason attempt an improvised bee vacuum recovery involving ladders, extension cords, slippery footing, failing equipment, and more determination than good judgment. Along the way, listeners hear the difficult reality of swarm survival, the limits of intervention, and the emotional pull that keeps beekeepers trying even when the odds are poor. This episode captures beekeeping exactly as it sometimes is: exhausting, frustrating, uncertain, and deeply human. Jim's candid narration and Jason's steady assistance make this one of the most memorable "Plain Talk" field episodes yet released on Honey Bee Obscura . Will the swarm survive? At the time of recording…
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