In Pictures: Britain's Royal Swan Uppers conducting swan census along the Thames

Swan Upping is a yearly activity in Britain in which mute swans along the Thames River are caught, assessed and then released. During this week-long activity, Royal Swan Uppers, dressed in the scarlet uniform of Her Majesty The Queen, row up and down the river in skiffs, which are traditional wooden rowing boats, as they pick up swans and young cygnets. The swans are tagged to establish a swan census. Injured swans are also treated during this exercise. The tradition of swan upping dates back over 900 years to the 12th century.

Updated

Published

Jul 19, 2016, 08:57 PM

Mr David Barber, The Queen's Swan Marker, holds a cygnet, or young swan, during Swan Upping, the annual census of the swan population on the River Thames, on July 18, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

A boat crew rowing along the River Thames, during the annual Swan Upping census, near Shepperton in southern England, on July 18, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

A cygnet, or young swan, is restrained while being examined during the annual Swan Upping census along the River Thames, on July 18, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

An official showing the swan and crown motifs embroidered on his tie, during the annual Swan Upping along the River Thames, on July 18, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

Crew members examining swans during the annual Swan Upping census exercise, along the River Thames, on July 18, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

Mr David Barber, The Queen's Swan Marker, prepares to set off for Swan Upping along the River Thames, on July 18, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

A cygnet, or young swan, is restrained while being examined during Swan Upping along the River Thames, on July 18, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

Boat crews pass through Chertsey lock during while counting and tagging mute swans, during Swan Upping along the River Thames, in Chertsey, southern England, on July 18, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

An embroidered swan is seen decorating a crew member's hat during Swan Upping along the River Thames, on July 18, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

A swan is returned to the river during Swan Upping, after being counted and tagged, along the River Thames near Shepperton, southern England, on July 18, 2016. Unmarked mute swans are now counted - rather than eaten - in the tradition, that has been exercised by the British Crown for nearly 900 years. PHOTO: REUTERS

A swan is examined during Swan Upping, during which unmarked mute swans are counted and tagged, near Sunbury, southern England, on July 18, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

Livery featuring a swan is seen on a boat flag during Swan Upping along the River Thames, near Shepperton, southern England, on July 18, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

A cygnet, or young swan, is restrained by crew members during Swan Upping, near Shepperton, southern England, on July 18, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

A boat crew rows under Chertsey bridge during Swan Upping, in southern England, on July 18, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

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