The swan uppers returned to Abingdon for the first time since 2019.
In 2020, there was no swan upping because of Covid restrictions.
In 2021, the five-day census of the River Thames’ swans was reduced to three days and did not reach Abingdon.
In 2022, the five-day census is back with a change. Record temperatures meant cygnets were examined in the boats with a lighter touch – to reduce the stress.
On Friday morning, the convoy of rowing boats and motorboats set off from Caversham for their final day, ending in Abingdon.
Some people at Abingdon Sailing Club kept an Abingdon family of two adults and eight cygnets feeding at the bank until the swan uppers were in sight.
The man steering the first skiff shouted ‘Swan Up!’ to indicate swans ahead. The uppers surrounded the swan family.
Seven of the cygnets were caught for examination. The adult swans were kept in a reasonably good mood.
But one cygnet got away. She/he was pursued by the Royal Swan motorboat downstream and across the river. Having escaped that chase, the cygnet returned to be near her/his parents, and the Royal Swan motorboat made another attempt. The cygnet made another dash through a flotilla of boats.
The examination of the seven other cygnets continued. Only after they were released did the chase for the final cygnet cease.
The swan uppers then rowed through Abingdon to Abingdon Bridge.
The swan uppers stood and turned to face the crowd on the bridge and toast the Queen.
The swan uppers then disembarked at Nags Head Island.
The family of swans went to one of their stops to forget their encounter with the Royal swan uppers.
Seven of the cygnets have a ring on their legs.
The one with no ring is the swan that got away.
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