Swan upping team arrives in Reading
The Queen counts her mute swans every year
The 800-year-old tradition of swan upping has been on show in Reading today.
On certain parts of the Thames the Queen owns the swans and every year at around this time the Royal swan marker and his team count them.
The process includes catching the swans, health checking them, tagging them and then releasing them back onto the river.
The Queen’s Swan Marker, David Barber said:
"Swan Upping plays an important role in the conservation of the mute swan and involves 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 Her Majesty The Queen, travel in traditional rowing skiffs together with Swan Uppers from the Vintners’ and Dyers’ livery companies.
Many schools are invited to meet the Swan Uppers on their journey up river. The children involved may have the opportunity to view cygnets at close quarter and ask questions about swans, the boats used and The Queen’s ownership of mute swans.