Annual Swan Upping: What is it and when does it happen?
Swan Upping is the annual census of the swan population on certain stretches of the River Thames.
The ceremony dates from the 12th century and takes place during the third week of July each year.
It has always been the duty of the sovereign’s Swan Marker to count the young cygnets each year and to ensure that the swan population is maintained.
With the assistance of the Swan Warden, Professor Christopher Perrins of the University of Oxford, the swans are also given a health check.
Here’s everything you need to know.
What is the annual Swan Upping?
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 cygnets, and examining them for any injuries.
A ceremonial element is beautifully retained — a flotilla of traditional Thames rowing skiffs, manned by Swan Uppers in scarlet rowing shirts and headed by the King’s Swan Marker, wearing a hat with a white swan’s feather, row their way steadily up the Thames.
“All up!” they cry, as a family of swans and cygnets is spotted, and the Swan Uppers carefully position their boats around the swans, lift them from the water, and check their health.
The Swan Marker’s iconic five-day journey upriver has been an annual ceremony for hundreds of years, and today it has two clear goals; conservation and education.
When will Swan Upping take place and what is its route in 2023?
Swan Upping 2023 will commence on Monday, July 17, at Sunbury Lock Cut in Surrey and finish on Friday, July 21, at Abingdon Bridge, Oxfordshire.
Events will follow this timetable:
Monday, July 17, 2023
9am: Sunbury Lock Cut: Departure point
10.15am: Shepperton Lock
12.30pm: Penton Hook Lock
5.30pm: Romney Lock
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
8.30am: Eton Bridge: Departure point
9.15am: Boveney Lock
12.30pm: Boulters Lock
1.30pm: Cookham Bridge
5.30pm: Marlow Lock
Wednesday, July 19, 2023
9am: Marlow Bridge: Departure point
10.30am: Hurley Lock
Midday: Hambleden Lock
1.15pm: Henley Town
3.30pm: Marsh Lock
5pm: Shiplake Lock
6pm: Sonning Bridge
Thursday, July 20, 2023
9am: Sonning-on-Thames:Departure point
10.15am: Caversham Lock
12.30pm: Mapledurham Lock
5pm: Goring Lock
6pm: Moulsford
Friday, July 21, 2023
9am: Moulsford: Departure point
10am: Benson Lock
1pm: Clifton Hampden Bridge
4.15pm: Culham Lock
5pm: Abingdon Bridge
Why does the annual Swan Upping take place?
Swan Upping takes place in July each year and the designated stretch of the river Thames is analysed over a five-day period, during which the swans are counted and checked for good health.
The annual event sees the King’s Swan Uppers travel along the Thames to round up, catch, and ring the birds before releasing them back into the wild.
The reason for this is that the Crown currently own all the swans within the country and that, once they are marked, they will be recorded in a census, and their health monitored.
What are the origins of the Swan Upping?
The King retains the right to claim ownership of any unmarked mute swan swimming in open waters, but this right is mainly exercised on the Thames, in London.
Historically, valuable rights of ownership were subsequently granted by the monarch to many people and organisations as swans were a prized food, served at banquets and feasts.
The ownership of swans is shared equally between the landowner and livery companies and, historically, this is the monarch, the Vintners’ Company, and the Dyers’ Company. This will be the first Upping on behalf of King Charles.
Why is the Swan Upping important?
Swan Upping plays an important role in the conservation of mute swan and involves the monarch’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.