Swan Upping finds cygnet numbers in the River Thames are down

The Queen’s Swan Marker, David Barber, accompanied by representatives of the Crown and the Vintners’ and Dyers’ Livery Companies, took to the water in traditional rowing skiffs last week as the five-day count got underway despite the heatwave.

The census counts the swan population on stretches of the Thames in Buckinghamshire, Surrey, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and London.

The number of cygnets recorded this year was 155, meaning there were 21 fewer young swans in the Thames compared to figures in 2021.

Picture: PA

Mr Barber said that while the number appears to have fallen, it is not a cause for concern, with numbers expected to drop due to the impact of avian flu.

He said: “Cygnets numbers were down on last year’s count – not a great deal but it’s still a significant drop.

“It was expected with all the things that have been going on, including avian flu, so we were not surprised.”

Picture: PA

Mr Barber, who lives in Henley and has been the Queen’s Swan Marker for 29 years, said it was the hottest Swan Upping he experienced.

The count finished on Friday (July 22) at Abingdon Bridge in Oxfordshire and adjustments were made with temperatures hitting the high 30s, with the team heading through Marlow on Tuesday, July 19 - one of the hottest days on record.

Because of the heat, the cygnets were only checked in the boats for health issues and promptly returned to the river to keep cool.

Pupils from schools around Buckinghamshire were able to meet Mr Barber as he stopped at various locations along the way, including the Compleat Angler next to Marlow Bridge.

The children listened to representatives of the Crown and the Vintners’ and Dyers’ Livery Companies as they explained how the swans are checked to ensure they are healthy.

David Barber, Picture: PA

Mr Barber said: “It was very hot for the first few days of the count but it was reasonably successful – we had a few problems with bird flu and fishing hooks injuries but we thought the census was successful overall.

“We had many schools coming along and they were very excited about it and that is always positive for us.

“The children that came along really enjoyed what they saw and what they learnt about preservation, and we were delighted with it.”

The Swan Upping ceremony dates back to when the ownership of all unmarked mute swans in Britain was claimed by the Crown in order to ensure a ready supply for feasts.

It is the duty of the Queen’s Swan Marker to count the number of young cygnets each year on certain stretches of the Thames and its surrounding tributaries, and to ensure the swan population is maintained.