‘Swan uppers’ hope numbers recover after avian flu

The swan uppers began their journey on a rainy Monday morning in west London and will reach Abingdon in Oxfordshire on Friday.

It’s a quirky mix of vivid royal spectacle and conservation project, with spectators lining riverbanks and the backs of suburban gardens to watch this flotilla sailing past.

Last year’s count only found 94 cygnets, a major decline in the swan population.

“Fortunately this year we have had far fewer reported cases of avian influenza, which is excellent news,” says David Barber, the King’s swan marker.

As a mark of his position he has a swan’s feather in his cap and wears a bright scarlet jacket, as he is rowed along the river, with boats flying flags and historical emblems.

But when we stop to get through a lock, the King’s swan marker has a serious message about this annual summer journey.

In particular he’s concerned about the impact of anti-social behaviour against the swan population.

“Attacks by air rifles and catapults are increasing. It’s appalling and it’s getting worse,” says Mr Barber.

“It’s a job to stop them,” says the swan marker, and he hopes that working with schools will help to educate young people away from mistreating swans.