15 June 2005
THE FOLLOWING PRESS RELEASE IS ISSUED BY THE PRESS SECRETARY TO THE QUEEN
Swan Upping, the annual census of the Swan population on a particular stretch of the River Thames, was announced today by David Barber, The Queen's Swan Marker.
This year's Swan Upping will start on Monday 18th July at Sunbury-on-Thames and will end at Abingdon, Oxfordshire on Friday 22nd July.
The ceremony of Swan Upping dates from the twelfth century and takes place during the third week of July every year. 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 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.
Announcing the dates for Swan Upping, David Barber reported:
"There has been a reported increase in the number of breeding pairs on the River Thames this year. Regrettably, swans and cygnets continue to be subjected to vicious and mindless vandalism with devastating, and often fatal, consequences.
"Attacks involving shootings appear to be on the increase and many nests and eggs continue to be destroyed by senseless youths. Swans and cygnets are also prey to attacks by dogs, mink and foxes and, of course, injuries involving discarded fishing tackle and line continue to cause immense suffering.
"The focus of the pageant of Swan Upping has evolved over recent years to include the conservation of mute swans and their habitat. An essential part of this work involves the participation of children from local schools who are invited to join the Swan Uppers at different locations during the week.
"They will have the opportunity to learn a little about the history of Swan Upping, the welfare of mute swans and the habitat required for their continued survival. The children will be able to ask questions about Swan Upping and may view swans and cygnets at close quarters.
"This part of the ceremony is always extremely rewarding and the children benefit enormously from their involvement."
Local schools seeking further information should contact the Swan Marker's office on +44 (0)1628 523030 or email nadajankovic@royalswan.co.uk.
The observation points and times are as follows (all times given are approximate):
Monday 18th July - PRESS DAY
Sunbury Lock 09.00 - Departure point
Shepperton Lock 10.45
Penton Hook Lock 12.30
Romney Lock 17.30
Tuesday 19th July - PRESS DAY
Eton Bridge 09.00 - Departure point
Boveney Lock 10.15
Boulters Lock 13.30
Marlow Lock 17.45
Wednesday 20th July -PRESS DAY
Marlow Bridge 09.00 - Departure point
Hurley Lock 10.30
Hambleden Lock 12.00
Henley Town 13.30
Marsh Lock 16.30
Shiplake Lock 17.15
Sonning-on-Thames 18.00
Thursday 21st July
Sonning-on-Thames 09.00 - Departure point
Caversham Lock 10.30
Mapledurham Lock 12.30
Goring Lock 17.30
Moulsford 18.30
Friday 22nd July
Moulsford 09.00 - Departure point
Benson Lock 10.15
Culham Lock 16.00
Abingdon Bridge 17.15
Press boat
The press boat will depart at 10.15 hours on Monday 18th July from Shepperton Lock, at 09.00 hours on Tuesday 19th July from Eton Bridge and 09.00 hours on Wednesday 20th July from Marlow Bridge.
Members of the media wishing to reserve a place to board the press boat should contact the Swan Marker's Office on +44 (0)1628 523030 or email nadajankovic@royalswan.co.uk.
Notes to Editors
Swan Upping dates from medieval times, when the Crown claimed ownership of all mute swans which were considered an important food source for banquets and feasts.
Today the Crown retains the right to ownership of all unmarked mute swans in open water, but The Queen only exercises this right on certain stretches of the River Thames and its surrounding tributaries.
This ownership is shared with the Vinters' and Dyers' Livery Companies, who were granted rights of ownership by the Crown in the fifteenth century. (The swans are counted but, of course, no longer eaten.)
The Queen's Swan Marker, and the accompanying Swan Uppers of the Vinters' and Dyers' Livery Companies, use six traditional Thames rowing skiffs in their five-day journey upstream as far as 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.
The Queen's Swan Marker produces a report at the completion of Swan Upping each year providing data on the number of swans accounted for, including broods and cygnets.
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.
Apart from Swan Upping, The Queen's Swan Marker has other duties: he advises organisations throughout the country on swan welfare and incidents involving swans; he monitors the health of the local swan population and he advises fishing and boating organisations how to work with wildlife.
He 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.
