Thanks Jim, I had added the information about cold setting in along with rain as consideration to this. But since you posted, you have opened my eyes to this possibility of what you have described could still be so.
As follows:
I caught the bee swarm in the afternoon Friday. The new hive was boxed up and ready to move by darkness. I moved them soon (after) darkness to their new place. During the night the change of weather set in and was prevalent until Sunday afternoon, even still it was cool with chilling wind, few bees were out and flying. Finally bees were flying midday yesterday. This is the time that I noticed the interested bees of the swarm limb.
If you are correct, and I believe you may very well be, then the scout bees had to hold out in a safe place during this time of bad weather or they would have surely died. Jim, does it make sense that the scouts, when returning to the swarm limb, found the swarm gone, not knowing what to do or where to turn because the swarm was now on the ground in their new box? Remember, I do not move the new hive until darkness. These late arrival scouts may not have had time to find the new hive before dark and went back to their old hive for the night? Finally when the weather was warm enough, there they were, flying about the limb looking for mama? I think this theory is very possible? It was again raining this morning. I am really interested in what may be the circumstances to follow. I will update when I know more. Thank you Jim also, for posting your thoughts on this.
Phillip Hall