FIRST ANNUAL CENSUS OF NEW REIGN SWAN UPPING NUMBERS FALL BUT EXPERTS TAKE HEART FROM KING'S SUPPORT

Dressed in their regal scarlet and gold uniforms, the King’s army of swan uppers set sail along the River Thames on a flotilla of skiffs flying flags with the royal cypher for the annual count of the majestic birds

- TRACY SCHAVERIEN

In a royal tradition going back 900 years, members of the Vintners’ and Dyers’ livery companies have been carrying out their annual swan census, travelling 80 miles upstream over five days to check on the numbers and health of cygnets to ensure their numbers are maintained.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

For centuries, the law has dictated that all unmarked mute swans in open waters are the property of the Crown, and this summer’s swan upping, the first to be carried out under the King’s reign, has uncovered some worrying news.