Counting swans on the Thames, since the12th century

Swan Upping, the tradition of counting and ringing swans on the River Thames, dates back to the 12th century. Every year, a special procession headed by the Sovereign’s Swan Marker travels through five English counties conducting a census of the swans and cygnets.

Historically, any unmarked swan in the United Kingdom was considered royal property. Even today, very few enjoy the rights to these swans, among them the Ilchester family and two livery companies, the Vintners winemaker and the Dyers dyer of London. Only the latter two, under royal supervision, are allowed to participate in ringing the fowls on the Thames.

The counting and ringing of the fowls is controlled by the Queen’s Marker. He and his aids are clad in traditional scarlet uniforms, and their boat bears a flag depicting the crown and the swan.

David Barber has been the Queen’s Swan Marker since 1993. He is a professor of ornithology in the Zoology Department of Oxford University.

The representatives of the livery companies have their own colors: the winemakers are blue, and the dyers are white. Their flags also differ, but each depicts a swan.

On the Thames, there is one mute swan distinguished by its large size, bright red beak, and ability to twist its neck in the form of an “S.”

The Queen’s Swan Marker counts and rings swans by family – if a swan is alone, it either has already been marked or it is the Queen’s property by default.

In the Middle Ages, a young fowl was a gourmet dish, and this is the origin of the strict rules that apply to swan ownership. These days, the census is meant to control the swan population, assess them for injury or diseases, and help ill birds recover their health.

In order to bind a swan’s feet and wings and examine its marks, the counters sit on large birds – this is common practice. The counters attach individual marks to the swans and cygnets above their feet. The swans caught by royal representatives are released without ringing and are marked with numbers that help scientists determine the age and origin of the swan.

It is rather difficult to weigh an adult swan. The average weight of a mute swan is up to 15 kilograms, and its wing span is 2.3 meters.

The swan ringing is also a ceremonial society event. The procession includes not only counters but yachts and ships carrying members of the livery companies and their guests.