Annual Swan count on the Thames River

[Catherine]

Counting the Swans on the Thames River is known as Swan Upping and is a tradition that goes back to the Middle Ages.
The person leading the count is known as the King's Swam Marker.
The numbers have not been good in recent years. Avian flu did reduce the numbers a lot, so did flooding and pollution.
Sadly some swans have been hit with air guns.
There were only 86 young swans, a decline of 45%. 


https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cger8gqdyk4o

Even protected birds like swans on the Thames are in decline. We really do need to look out for our birds. If the swans continue to decline they could disappear from the river completely. It is time for some serious conservation efforts.