26 June 2009
ROYAL SWAN UPPING 2009 - PRESS RELEASE
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 20th July, departing from Eton and ending at Abingdon, Oxfordshire on Friday 24th 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 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.
Announcing the dates for Swan Upping, David Barber reported:
“For the past two years high water levels and strong streams have resulted in many fatalities among young cygnets and substantially lower numbers have been recorded on the River Thames. Fortunately, this year, we have experienced normal river conditions and we are expecting a higher number of cygnets in line with the figures for 2006.
There has been a reported increase in attacks on both young cygnets and adult swans involving domestic dogs over the past year. These attacks are a major concern to swan rescue organisations, resulting in serious injuries and often death. We can only stress that dog owners should ensure their dogs are kept under control at all times, and particularly in the presence of wildlife. Swans also continue to be injured by discarded fishing tackle; this is a perennial problem which can cause dreadful injuries and we would urge people, when fishing, to ensure they dispose of all used tackle in a safe and appropriate manner.
I am delighted to announce that Her Majesty The Queen will be visiting Swan Upping this year, joining the Swan Uppers at Boveney Lock. The Queen will follow the Swan Uppers on the river and will view a display of projects completed by local school children on the subject of Swan Upping and the River Thames. The children are extremely excited about their role in the visit. Education and conservation are essential to the role of Swan Upping and the involvement of school children is always a rewarding experience.”
Local schools seeking further information should contact the Swan Marker's office on +44 (0)1628 523030 or email info@royalswan.co.uk.
Download a copy of the Swan Upping brochure here: Swan Upping.pdf
The observation points and times are as follows (all times given are approximate):
Monday 20th July 2009
Eton Bridge 08.15 - Departure point
Boveney Lock 09.30
Boulters Lock 14.45
Cookham 16.30
Tuesday 21st July 2009
Cookham 15.00 – Departure point
Marlow Lock 17.00
Wednesday 22nd July 2009
Marlow Bridge 09.00 - Departure point
Hurley Lock 10.30
Hambleden Lock 12.00
Henley Town 13.30
Marsh Lock 16.00
Shiplake Lock 17.00
Sonning Bridge 18.00
Thursday 23rd July 2009
Sonning-on-Thames 09.00 - Departure point
Caversham Lock 10.30
Mapledurham Lock 12.30
Goring Lock 17.00
Moulsford 18.00
Friday 24th July 2009
Moulsford 09.00 - Departure point
Benson Lock 10.15
Clifton Hampden Bridge 13.00
Culham Lock 16.15
Abingdon Bridge 17.00
Press boat
On Monday 20th July the press boat will available for Royal rota media only. Applications will not be received via the Swan Marker’s Office. Please contact Buckingham Palace Press Office for more information: Meryl.keeling@royal.gsx.gov.uk
The press boat will depart at 15.00 hours on Tuesday 21st July from Cookham, at 09.00 hours on Wednesday 22nd July from Marlow Bridge and 09.00 hours on Thursday 23rd July from Sonning Bridge. 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 info@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 of ownership of all unmarked mute swans in open water, but The Queen mainly exercises this right on certain stretches of the River Thames and its surrounding tributaries. This ownership is shared with the Vintners' and Dyers' Livery Companies who were granted rights of ownership by The Crown in the fifteenth century. The swans are counted but are no longer eaten.
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.
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.
Apart from Swan Upping, The Queen's Swan Marker has other duties. He advises organisations throughout the country about swan welfare and incidents involving swans, he monitors the health of the local swan population and advises fishing and boating organisations how to work with wildlife. 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.
