Swan numbers show signs of recovery

THE swan population in the Henley area is “healthy” with a rise in numbers reported during this year’s census.

A total of 25 cygnets were found between Marlow Bridge and Henley Bridge, during the swan upping ceremony, which takes place over an 80-mile stretch of the River Thames over five days every July.

David Barber, the King’s swan marker, said the number of breeding pairs is on the rise after nests were washed away in January and February last year because of widespread flooding.

Other birds had fallen victim to bird flu, pollution and predators.

Mr Barber, accompanied by representatives of the Crown and the Vintners’ and Dyers’ Livery Companies, all of whom travelled in six traditional rowing skiffs, had set off from Sunbury Lock on Monday and arrived in Henley on Wednesday.

The group was accompanied by a group from the Swan Support charity who helped them tie the young birds’ feet with string, weigh and measure them and check for any injury. They shout, “all up!” when they spot the birds then catch and restrain them before weighing, measuring and checking them for any injuries.

The youngsters are either tagged in one of the livery companies’ colours or left “unmarked”, meaning they belong to the King. A ring is attached to each to show they have been counted.

About 30 residents and tourists gathered at Hambleden Lock to shade themselves from the sun as they watched along the footpath or stood at the bridge.

The boats, which was expected to arrive at noon, were delayed by about 20 minutes after swans were found further downstream.

The crews were dressed in their traditional outfits, which are coloured red, white and blue for the Crown, Dyers’ and Vintners’ companies respectively.

The skiffs were accompanied by motorboats and people aboard Hobbs of Henley cruises joined them as they looked out on the deck holding binoculars and taking photographs.

Hundreds of spectators gathered on boats and on the banks as swan uppers travelled from Hambleden to Henley.

Counters found a breeding pair and two cygnets at Medmenham Abbey and stopped to check they were healthy.

At Hurley Lock, the group spotted a family of two adult swans and three cygnets.

They also stopped at Temple Island in Marlow where they found four cygnets and an adult breeding pair and at Fawley Court, boaters lined up to measure and weigh a family of seven cygnets and one breeding pair.

As the skiffs arrived to stop for lunch at Leander Club, children waved and pointed at the crews in excitement as they docked to deliver a talk to pupils from Valley Road and Sacred Heart Primary School.

Mr Barber, said: “So far it has been very positive.

“It’s an improvement on last year because we’ve had the bird flu for a few years and that seems to have died out on the Thames now and the breeding pairs suffered badly and now it seems quite good so I’m pleased with it.

“Last year was the lowest number we’ve had for years and years and years and since I’ve been doing it and that was only 86 cygnets [across the whole bird count].

“We’re getting more breeding pairs now after this bird flu and they are finding mates and actually breeding now, whereas before they had lost their lives and that was the problem.

“I’m so pleased that so far this week, it’s an upward trend.

“The ones that have survived the bird flu are very good. They were excellent. “We measure the beaks on them and then we check them for any injuries.”

Mr Barber said fishing tackle is a big problem for swan as they can easily get caught up in it.

He said: “It gets caught around their legs and the young cygnets are not river wise so they get tangled up. We have had some fishing tackle down at Windsor.”

The swan uppers taught the school children how to tie a bow which is used to secure the swan when they are caught and the dangers of leaving litter by the river.

Wendy Hermon, of Swan Support, told them about how the swans make their nest, lay their eggs and rear their young.

A month old cygnet, which the pupils named “Barry” was passed around as they stroked and observed in awe.

Paul Prentice, of the Crown and the Vintners, explained to the children how the skiffs are built and invited the pupils to pass around a model tiller for them to inspect.

He said: “The boats that we use go back over 100 years and they’re still working boats because when we finish at Abingdon, these boats go straight back to be used by the public.

“It was the Saxons who used this boat. It’s very strong because of the strain. There are six boats we use and when we catch the swans, we make a big circle and we make the circle smaller.

“The boats do clash so they have to be strong.”

Willow Winder, 11, from Sacred Heart Primary School, said: “I learned about how they tie up the swans after they have been caught and the different names for the types of swans for male and female.

“When I got to touch the cygnet, it was softer than I thought.”

Hugo Dias, also of Sacred Heart Primary School, said: “It was a great experience knowing how they tie the knots and how they count them and check them and everything like that.

“My highlight was being able to stroke the swan because it was surprisingly fluffy.”

The birds have been owned by the Crown since the 12th century and the census is carried out every year to check numbers and to ensure they are in healthy condition. The count will finish at Abingdon Bridge today (Friday).