Thanks to Steve for sending a text so say the Swan Uppers were leaving Culham Lock. At Abingdon marina some local boat owners told the Swan Uppers there were two swans and seven cygnets nearby.

The Swan Uppers followed their directions, and drew a circle of boats closer and closer round the swans.

They then moved the swans to the nearest garden to ring them, weigh them and give them a health check.

A little later the Swan Uppers arrived at Abingdon Bridge. They did not stop there, but rowed through the bridge in the direction of Abingdon Lock. The crowd, who had been waiting one side of the bridge, moved to the other side to watch them go.

The swan upper returned a few minutes later after this unexpected diversion.

They then brought the boats together and shared out the last of their rum, and raised a glass to ‘The Queen.’

Swan upping is an annual ceremony in England in which mute swans on the River Thames are rounded up, caught, ringed, and then released. It normally finishes at Abingdon Bridge.

This group of goslings, with some older geese, were under the Abingdon Map beside the River Thames this evening.

The goslings looked very young but were already able to walk, and swim, and eat grass.

They will be much better off if they are just allowed to eat grass – NOT given bread which is to them a junk food. We humans can get away with eating junk food now and again, but baby birds grow up much quicker and so for them a natural grass diet will make them strong and healthy. Bread won’t.

Thanks to Steve for this from 1st September

Excuse the poor photos but we couldn’t contain our excitement yesterday when around 2.00pm this Osprey began fishing almost opposite us in Wilsham Road on the River Thames in Abingdon.