Hi Yanta, yes moving hives short distances is controversial, and there are many opinions. In the past I have moved hives about 10km away to a friend's property, and I still have that option. Since I have read that it might be effective using branches and confinement etc to minimise drift moving less than 2 miles, I thought I'd give it a try.
I don't think my first attempt was a complete failure, some bees drifted back, but not all of them. It might have been less than 1000 or so. And by the looks of it mostly from one hive. If it doesn't seem to be working tomorrow, I will move the weaker hive back.
When I opened them this morning, I did observe the bees circling around before flying off, suggesting they were reorienting.
Moots, I will try again tomorrow morning with the drift box.
Tonight I sealed up the drifted bees in their box and moved it over next to the new location. I will see how they go in the morning.
From what I gather trying to get them to reorient is not 100%, some bees will drift back but most of them will realise and circle around and find the new location. I probably should have waited until late in the day to place the fresh box at the old location for the bees to have somewhere to stay overnight.
I reckon next time I might try moving them when the weather is not so warm and sunny. May be a day or so of inclement weather when they don't fly will help.
Anyway, good to try out and learn something different.
cheers
john