Today I made a quick impromptu visit to the hive, just a nosy really and to watch them coming in and out, so didn't have my equipment with me. I thought they looked a wee bit agitated at the entrance, but not much pollen going in and it had just finished putting down a shower. So, I couldn't resist a quick look under the crown board to ensure all was well in there - the bees were extremely calm, and for the very first time I heard the Queen piping. So, my question is - what is the most likely reason for the Queen piping ? I have done the obligatory google search along with consulting the various books and come up with a variety of answers just to confuse me even further - found quacking queens and tooting queens too - mine certainly pipes - she is after all a Scottish queen - how else would she conduct herself and qualify for that status !