King Charles' annual swan census begins on the River Thames

[ad_1] LONDON (AP) — Scarlet uniforms flashed towards the riverbank. Wood skiffs glided in formation. A younger swan, gently lifted from the water, was measured, inspected and launched.

The annual five-day census of swans belonging to King Charles III – referred to as Swan Upping -- started Monday on the River Thames to evaluate their well being.

One of many British monarch’s less-known titles is Seigneur of the Swans — Lord of the Swans — and in response to historical lore, she or he owns all members of the mute swan species present in Britain’s open waters.

Yearly, a staff of rigorously chosen oarsmen — Swan Uppers -- are tasked with discovering the swans on a stretch of the Thames.

When a household is noticed, they shout, “All up!” and the boats shortly encompass the birds, marking them and checking for indicators of illness or harm.

“It offers us a sign of what’s happening all through the nation,” stated 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 practice, however I believe it’s serving a really helpful goal as properly.”

Barber has been main the occasion for greater than 30 years. He's accompanied by a vet and oarsmen wearing three colours: pink for the king, white for the Worshipful Firm of Vintners and blue stripes for the Worshipful Firm of Dyers. The final two are medieval London commerce guilds that have been granted possession of some Thames swans within the fifteenth century.

The census custom dates to the twelfth century, when swans have been thought of an vital meals for royal banquets and feasts.

Whereas swans at the moment are legally protected against searching, they face threats from illness, air pollution, vandalism and cruelty, Barber stated.

Their numbers have declined over the past two years, primarily as a result of outbreaks of avian flu throughout Britain, he stated, including that solely 86 younger swans have been discovered throughout final 12 months’s Swan Upping, which was 45% fewer than the 12 months earlier than that.

However Barber appeared optimistic on the finish of the occasion’s first day, with a complete of 16 younger swans recorded.

The census continues till Friday, touring from Sunbury, on the outskirts of London, to Abingdon, 80 miles (130 kilometers) upstream.

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