Adjustments were made to the ancient tradition of Swan Upping – the annual census of the swan population along the River Thames – to help the cygnets in the extreme heat.
The Queen’s Swan Marker, David Barber, accompanied by his team of Swan Uppers, took to the water in traditional rowing skiffs at Sunbury Lock Cut in Middlesex on Monday as the five-day count and check got underway despite the heatwave.
The baby swans were usually taken from the water and brought to shore to be weighed, measured, and checked for problems.
Swan Uppers inspect a Cygnet in Surrey near Staines-upon-Thames (Steve Parsons/PA).PA Wire/PA Images – Steve Parsons
With temperatures in the high 30s, the cygnets weren’t checked in the boats for any health problems and were quickly returned to the river to cool off.
Although the Queen still has the right to claim ownership over unmarked mute Swans swimming in open water, this right is mostly exercised on certain stretches along the Thames. The ceremony dates back to the 12th Century.
The PA news agency received this statement from Mr Barber: “The cygnets do have an issue of going into fishing lines because they’re not streetwise or riverwise so you have to check those over.
“Normally, we would take them out of the water ashore and weigh each cygnet and measure each cygnet for our data.
“Today, we took them out of the water, checked them over, put a ring on them and then they went back in the water.”
Swan Uppers examine a cygnet at Chertsey in Surrey (Steve Parsons/PA).PA Wire/PA Images – Steve Parsons
Mr Barber, who has been the Queen’s Swan Marker for 29 years, said it was the hottest Swan Upping he has experienced, prompting him to dispense with his traditional uniform of a heavy scarlet blazer, decorated with embroidered gold thread detail and royal insignia.
He wore his white, short-sleeved shirt, with the top button up, tie and peaked caps, but did not wear the jacket for the Queen’s honour.
“The only time I put my blazer on was in Romney Lock when we gave a toast to Her Majesty the Queen. I just had to do that,”He stated.
“But it’s a very thick blazer, very heavy, and there was no way I could wear it today. That would be disastrous.”
The Queen’s Swan Marker, David Barber, in his red blazer at last year’s Swan Upping (Steve Parsons/PA)PA Archive/PA Images – Steve Parsons
Barber stated that although the number of cygnets seems to have dropped, it is not cause for concern. The impact of the avian influenza will likely lead to a drop in numbers.
One crew member held an umbrella as one of their boats made its way down the river.
Others took a break while rowing and sat down on the boats in the warm sunshine.
Swan Uppers take a break rowing in heat (Steve Parsons/PA).PA Wire/PA Images – Steve Parsons
Mr Barber said: “It was very, very hot as you can well imagine being out in open water with really not much shade, but everyone has been pretty good in drinking plenty of water, which has saved the day.”
The Swan Upping ceremony is a British tradition that dates back to the time when the Crown claimed ownership of all unmarked, mute swans within Britain to ensure ample food supply.
It is the duty of the Queen’s Swan Marker to count the number of young cygnets each year on certain stretches of the Thames and its surrounding tributaries, and to ensure the swan population is maintained.
The current focus of the organization is education and conservation.
Swan Upping 2022 started Monday at Sunbury Lock Cut, Middlesex, and will end Friday at Abingdon bridge in Oxfordshire.