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Article from: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/pic...e-annual-Swan-Upping-on-the-River-Thames.html
Swan Upping, the annual census of the swan population on the River Thames, began on Monday July 18 departing from Sunbury and ending at Abingdon, Oxfordshire on Friday July 22
The ceremony of Swan Upping dates from the twelfth century and takes place during the third week of July every year
The Queen's Swan Marker and the accompanying Swan Uppers of the Vintners' and Dyers' Livery Companies use six traditional Thames rowing skiffs in their five-day journey upstream to Abingdon. By tradition scarlet uniforms are worn by the Queen's Swan Marker and Swan Uppers, and each boat flies the appropriate flag and pennant
It has always been the duty of the Sovereign's Swan Marker to count the number of young cygnets each year and ensure that the swan population is maintained
With the assistance of the Queen's Swan Warden, Professor Christopher Perrins of the University of Oxford, the swans and young cygnets are also assessed for any signs of injury or disease
The cygnets are weighed and measured to obtain estimates of growth rates and the birds are examined for any sign of injury, commonly caused by fishing hook and line. The cygnets are ringed with individual identification numbers by the Queen's Swan Warden, whose role is scientific and non-ceremonial
The Queen's Swan Marker produces an annual report after Swan Upping detailing the number of swans, broods and cygnets counted during the week
David Barber, the Queen’s Swan Marker
"Another winter of severe weather has contributed to the death of many swans," said David Barber. "Furthermore, a virus known as duck virus enteritis was discovered within the mute swan population on the River Thames"
"Unfortunately, more than 180 swans were found either dying or dead on the river between Reading and Windsor, with over 115 deaths being reported in the Windsor area alone"
The Swan Uppers negotiate a lock on the River Thames
The Swan Marker and Swan Uppers will be meeting several schools during their five day journey up river during which they will talk to children about the Queen’s ownership of mute swans and the history associated with it
The Queen’s Swan Marker works closely with swan-rescue organisations and supervises the rescue of sick and injured swans. He also co-ordinates the removal of swans from stretches of the river Thames used for summer rowing regattas
Swan Upping, the annual census of the swan population on the River Thames, began on Monday July 18 departing from Sunbury and ending at Abingdon, Oxfordshire on Friday July 22
The ceremony of Swan Upping dates from the twelfth century and takes place during the third week of July every year
The Queen's Swan Marker and the accompanying Swan Uppers of the Vintners' and Dyers' Livery Companies use six traditional Thames rowing skiffs in their five-day journey upstream to Abingdon. By tradition scarlet uniforms are worn by the Queen's Swan Marker and Swan Uppers, and each boat flies the appropriate flag and pennant
It has always been the duty of the Sovereign's Swan Marker to count the number of young cygnets each year and ensure that the swan population is maintained
With the assistance of the Queen's Swan Warden, Professor Christopher Perrins of the University of Oxford, the swans and young cygnets are also assessed for any signs of injury or disease
The cygnets are weighed and measured to obtain estimates of growth rates and the birds are examined for any sign of injury, commonly caused by fishing hook and line. The cygnets are ringed with individual identification numbers by the Queen's Swan Warden, whose role is scientific and non-ceremonial
The Queen's Swan Marker produces an annual report after Swan Upping detailing the number of swans, broods and cygnets counted during the week
David Barber, the Queen’s Swan Marker
"Another winter of severe weather has contributed to the death of many swans," said David Barber. "Furthermore, a virus known as duck virus enteritis was discovered within the mute swan population on the River Thames"
"Unfortunately, more than 180 swans were found either dying or dead on the river between Reading and Windsor, with over 115 deaths being reported in the Windsor area alone"
The Swan Uppers negotiate a lock on the River Thames
The Swan Marker and Swan Uppers will be meeting several schools during their five day journey up river during which they will talk to children about the Queen’s ownership of mute swans and the history associated with it
The Queen’s Swan Marker works closely with swan-rescue organisations and supervises the rescue of sick and injured swans. He also co-ordinates the removal of swans from stretches of the river Thames used for summer rowing regattas