It's swan-counting season in Britain
July 16, 2024 8:41 PM Subscribe
Swan-uppers will put on a show on the Thames for five days. Here's what to know about the 800-year-old royal tradition.
In this ceremonial event, the Thames' swan population — all owned by the crown and two trade companies — is examined and counted in a five-day affair along the river.
Swan-upping refers to a method of conservation of the mute swan population living on the Thames, in which the crown conducts a census of the birds in one section of the river and makes assessments of their health.
It is undertaken by the crown, the Vintners' Livery Company and Dyers' Livery Company — a trio that shares ownership of all swans in the nation.
Young cygnets are ringed with identification tags if they belong to the Vintners and the Dyers, and all those left unmarked belong to the serving monarch.
Swan-upping refers to a method of conservation of the mute swan population living on the Thames, in which the crown conducts a census of the birds in one section of the river and makes assessments of their health.
It is undertaken by the crown, the Vintners' Livery Company and Dyers' Livery Company — a trio that shares ownership of all swans in the nation.
Young cygnets are ringed with identification tags if they belong to the Vintners and the Dyers, and all those left unmarked belong to the serving monarch.
Swans are gorgeous creatures.
Here in Indiana, unfortunately, the DNR (Dept. of Natural Resources) considers them to be a non-native, invasive species. As such, the DNR runs a little-known program aimed at eliminating the birds. “Eliminating” does not mean relocating.
posted by Thorzdad at 4:04 AM on July 17
Here in Indiana, unfortunately, the DNR (Dept. of Natural Resources) considers them to be a non-native, invasive species. As such, the DNR runs a little-known program aimed at eliminating the birds. “Eliminating” does not mean relocating.
posted by Thorzdad at 4:04 AM on July 17
the DNR runs a little-known program aimed at eliminating the birds.
Don't let the King find out! We'll be back at war!
posted by mittens at 5:03 AM on July 17 [1 favorite]
Don't let the King find out! We'll be back at war!
posted by mittens at 5:03 AM on July 17 [1 favorite]
as ever, Weird Medieval Guys have the details: No, the King doesn't own all the swans in Britain
posted by scruss at 7:47 AM on July 17 [1 favorite]
posted by scruss at 7:47 AM on July 17 [1 favorite]
Swans can be the scariest birds you ever meet. Having encountered them with cygnets during breeding season while canoeing in the Arboretum, to this I can attest. They come at you with double kicks and surge out out of the water, all the while hissing and twisting their necks in the most serpentine and intimidating manner. And they mean business. For corroboration, search 'Swan attacks' on YouTube. That said, to my understanding the swans on the Thames are acclimated to humans and recognize us as a source of food. So, swan upping is not that dangerous an occupation. All the same, swans are not to be trifled with, on land or water.
posted by y2karl at 8:58 AM on July 17 [1 favorite]
posted by y2karl at 8:58 AM on July 17 [1 favorite]
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I always thought it was tupping .. but that turns out to be be a slightly different animal - sheep tupping and raddling with. So many English words feel like eupemisms.
posted by unearthed at 10:37 PM on July 16