Mark your calendars: Swan Upping is returning this summer on the River Thames.
The annual census of the swan population will take place over three days in July, starting on 20 July from Eton Bridge, Berkshire, culminating on 22 July at Moulsford on Thames, Oxfordshire.
Buckingham Palace announced the news earlier this week, with The Queen’s Swan Marker, David Barber, noting: “Members of the public have been extremely observant during the Covid-19 lockdown and have reported many injured swans. This has enabled them to be rescued and treated promptly which has avoided unnecessary suffering.
“This year, the breeding season has been successful in terms of cygnet numbers and there has been a decrease in the number of dog attacks on swan nests reported. However, we have seen a vast increase in the incidence of pollution on the river over the same period; engine and diesel oil deposited in the water along with other debris and pollutants cause serious problems for swans and other water borne wildlife. These situations are entirely avoidable and have a devastating impact upon both the wildlife and the environment.
“As well as the conservation work that Swan Upping encompasses, Swan Uppers continue to focus on the education of primary age children. Several primary schools will therefore join the Swan Uppers on the river where they will learn about the biology of mute swans, the impact of pollution and the Royal connection to swans.”
Swan Upping is a royal tradition dating back to the 12th century, when the monarch laid claim to all of the mute swans in England.
Today, however, The Queen mainly only exercises her right to unmarked mute swans who live on stretches of the River Thames and surrounding tributaries, and she shares ownership with the Vintners’ and Dyers’ Livery Companies, who have shared rights since the 15th century.
The Swan Upping not only counts the population each year, but also tracks the health and signs of injury as well, with assistant from The Queen’s Swan Warden. Per Buckingham Palace, young cygnets are counted, measured and weighed to estimate their growth rates, and then they are “ringed with individual identification numbers by The Queen’s Swan Warden, whose role is scientific and non-ceremonial.”
After the Swan Upping is complete, the Swan Marker releases a report with the count of swans, broods, and cygnets, and “advises organisations throughout the country about swan welfare and incidents involving swans, gives talks to local schools and charities on the subject of swan welfare and Swan Upping, and monitors the health of the local swan population.”
The complete schedule for this summer’s Swan Upping is as follows:
Tuesday 20th July 2021:
Eton Bridge – 08.30 (Departure point)
Boveney Lock – 09.15
Boulters Lock – 12.30
Cookham Bridge – 13.15
Marlow Lock – 17.30
Wednesday 21st July 2021
Marlow Bridge – 09.00 (Departure point)
Hurley Lock – 10.30
Hambleden Lock – 12.15
Henley Bridge – 13.00
Marsh Lock – 15.15
Shiplake Lock – 17.00
Sonning Bridge – 18.00
Thursday 22nd July 2021
Sonning Bridge – 08.45 (Departure point)
Caversham Lock – 10.15
Mapledurham Lock – 12.30
Goring Lock – 16.15
Moulsford – 17.15
