Dozens turn out to watch 'swan uppers' pass through Reading
The annual census of the King's swans is taking place this week
Dozens of people have turned out to watch the annual swan upping in Reading.
Swan upping is the yearly survey of the King's swans on the Thames between Sunbury-on-Thames in Middlesex and Abingdon in south Oxfordshire.
The census takes five days and today the fleet of six Edwardian skiffs passed through Berkshire.
Swan Upping plays an important role in the conservation of the mute swan and involves The King’s Swan Warden collecting data, assessing the health of young cygnets and examining them for any injuries.
Cygnets are extremely vulnerable at this early stage in their development and Swan Upping affords an opportunity to help both adults and cygnets that might otherwise go untreated.
The Royal Swan Uppers, who wear the scarlet uniform of His Majesty The King, travel in traditional rowing skiffs together with Swan Uppers from the Vintners’ and Dyers’ livery companies.
You can find out more about swan upping here