11. Swan Upping on the Thames, 20 July 2023

 


Waster Conservators and guests gathered at Caversham Bridge for a cruise to watch Swan Upping on the non-tidal Thames.  After coffee, we followed the boats upstream until swans and cygnets were sighted.  The teams then surrounded the birds and quickly removed them from the water for ringing.  Vets checked the birds for avian flu which has devastated some bird populations.  This process was repeated several times during the morning.


Swan Upping is an annual ceremony conducted by Thames Watermen to count and mark the swans and cygnets.  Traditionally there were two nicks on the beak for the Vintners Company, one nick for the Dyers’ Company, and royal birds were unmarked.  The birds are now ringed, and their numbers recorded for future reference.  There are three teams, each of two boats and six men.  The King’s men are in red, the Dyers’ in blue and the Vintners in white.


It was a most interesting morning and our thanks to Georgina Hall for organising the cruise.  We then adjourned for lunch at a convenient hostelry.

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