The annual count of swans belonging to King Charles begins on the River Thames
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Toronto Sun
8 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
King Charles' annual swan census begins on the River Thames
Published Jul 15, 2025 • 2 minute read Swan uppers travel along the River Thames between Staines and Eton, during the ancient tradition of Swan Upping, the annual census of the mute swan population on the River Thames in London, Monday, July 14, 2025. Photo by Thomas Krych / AP LONDON (AP) — Scarlet uniforms flashed against the riverbank. Wooden skiffs glided in formation. A young swan, gently lifted from the water, was measured, inspected and released. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The annual five-day census of swans belonging to King Charles III — known as Swan Upping — began Monday on the River Thames to assess their health. One of the British monarch's less-known titles is Seigneur of the Swans — Lord of the Swans — and according to ancient lore, he or she owns all members of the mute swan species found in Britain's open waters. Every year, a team of carefully selected oarsmen — Swan Uppers — are tasked with finding the swans on a stretch of the Thames. When a family is spotted, they shout, 'All up!' and the boats quickly surround the birds, marking them and checking for signs of disease or injury. 'It gives us an indication of what's going on throughout the country,' said David Barber, who wears a scarlet jacket and a white swan feather in his cap and bears the title of King's Swan Marker. 'It's a tradition, but I think it's serving a very useful purpose as well.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Swan uppers check mute swans during the ancient tradition of Swan Upping, the annual census of the mute swan population on the River Thames in London, Monday, July 14, 2025. Photo by Thomas Krych / AP Barber has been leading the event for more than 30 years. He is accompanied by a vet and oarsmen dressed in three colors: red for the king, white for the Worshipful Company of Vintners and blue stripes for the Worshipful Company of Dyers. The last two are medieval London trade guilds that were granted ownership of some Thames swans in the 15th century. The census tradition dates to the 12th century, when swans were considered an important food for royal banquets and feasts. While swans are now legally protected from hunting, they face threats from disease, pollution, vandalism and cruelty, Barber said. Their numbers have declined over the last two years, primarily due to outbreaks of avian flu across Britain, he said, adding that only 86 young swans were found during last year's Swan Upping, which was 45% fewer than the year before that. But Barber appeared positive at the end of the event's first day, with a total of 16 young swans recorded. The census continues until Friday, traveling from Sunbury, on the outskirts of London, to Abingdon, 80 miles (130 kilometers) upstream. Toronto & GTA Columnists NFL Uncategorized Editorial Cartoons
The Independent
8 hours ago
- The Independent
Inside the centuries-old swan census ordered by King Charles III
Scarlet uniforms cut a striking figure against the River Thames this week as the annual five-day census of King Charles III 's swans, known as Swan Upping, commenced. The traditional event, which began on Monday, sees a young swan gently lifted, measured, inspected, and released, to assess the health of the royal flock. The unique tradition stems from the monarch's lesser-known title, Seigneur of the Swans, or Lord of the Swans. According to ancient lore, this title grants the reigning sovereign ownership of all mute swans found in Britain's open waters. Each year, a dedicated team of carefully selected oarsmen, dubbed 'Swan Uppers', embark on a stretch of the Thames to locate the birds. When a swan family is sighted, the cry of "All up!" rings out, prompting the boats to swiftly encircle the birds for marking and a thorough check for any signs of disease or injury. 'It gives us an indication of what's going on throughout the country,' said David Barber, who wears a scarlet jacket and a white swan feather in his cap and bears the title of King's Swan Marker. 'It's a tradition, but I think it's serving a very useful purpose as well.' Barber has been leading the event for more than 30 years. He is accompanied by a vet and oarsmen dressed in three colors: red for the king, white for the Worshipful Company of Vintners and blue stripes for the Worshipful Company of Dyers. The last two are medieval London trade guilds that were granted ownership of some Thames swans in the 15th century. The census tradition dates to the 12th century, when swans were considered an important food for royal banquets and feasts. While swans are now legally protected from hunting, they face threats from disease, pollution, vandalism and cruelty, Barber said. Their numbers have declined over the last two years, primarily due to outbreaks of avian flu across Britain, he said, adding that only 86 young swans were found during last year's Swan Upping, which was 45 per cent fewer than the year before that. But Barber appeared positive at the end of the event's first day, with a total of 16 young swans recorded. The census continues until Friday, traveling from Sunbury, on the outskirts of London, to Abingdon, 80 miles (130 kilometers) upstream.
Arab Times
13 hours ago
- Arab Times
King Charles' annual swan census begins on the River Thames
LONDON, July 15, (AP): Scarlet uniforms flashed against the riverbank. Wooden skiffs glided in formation. A young swan, gently lifted from the water, was measured, inspected and released. The annual five-day census of swans belonging to King Charles III - known as Swan Upping -- began Monday on the River Thames to assess their health. One of the British monarch's less-known titles is Seigneur of the Swans - Lord of the Swans - and according to ancient lore, he or she owns all members of the mute swan species found in Britain's open waters. Every year, a team of carefully selected oarsmen - Swan Uppers -- are tasked with finding the swans on a stretch of the Thames. When a family is spotted, they shout, "All up!' and the boats quickly surround the birds, marking them and checking for signs of disease or injury. "It gives us an indication of what's going on throughout the country,' said David Barber, who wears a scarlet jacket and a white swan feather in his cap and bears the title of King's Swan Marker. "It's a tradition, but I think it's serving a very useful purpose as well.' Barber has been leading the event for more than 30 years. He is accompanied by a vet and oarsmen dressed in three colors: red for the king, white for the Worshipful Company of Vintners and blue stripes for the Worshipful Company of Dyers. The last two are medieval London trade guilds that were granted ownership of some Thames swans in the 15th century. The census tradition dates to the 12th century, when swans were considered an important food for royal banquets and feasts. While swans are now legally protected from hunting, they face threats from disease, pollution, vandalism and cruelty, Barber said. Their numbers have declined over the last two years, primarily due to outbreaks of avian flu across Britain, he said, adding that only 86 young swans were found during last year's Swan Upping, which was 45% fewer than the year before that.
