King’s Swan Upping on the Thames shows healthy cygnets but rising litter

No Comment Video. King’s Swan Upping on the Thames shows healthy cygnets but rising litter Copy/paste the link below: Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Updated: 14/07/2026 - 9:27 GMT+2 Traditional skiffs glided along the River Thames during Swan Upping as crews counted and weighed cygnets, reporting encouraging numbers while warning about the growing threat of river litter. Footage from Staines, England, filmed on Monday 13 July 2026, shows the Vintners' and Dyers' livery companies rowing traditional skiffs along the River Thames, catching cygnets, weighing and measuring them before King Charles' Chief Swan Marker, David Barber, released them back into the water near Windsor Castle. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT The event, called Swan Upping, is an annual census of the Thames mute swan population running from 13 to 17 July, from Sunbury Lock in Middlesex to Abingdon Bridge in Oxfordshire. Barber, in the role since 1993, said this year's count was encouraging, continuing a tradition dating back to the 12th century in which swans belong to the Crown or the two livery companies. Barber said he was pleased with the swan numbers but distressed by rising litter in the river, after Swan Uppers found young swans injured by discarded fishing tackle and rubbish. The event ends with a traditional toast to the King at Windsor. United Kingdom animal protection London Tradition wildlife conservation England Top stories Now playing Next King’s Swan Upping on the Thames shows healthy cygnets but rising litter Now playing Next Flowers and forensic teams at Bangkok bar where deadly fire killed at least 27 Now playing Next Video shows civilians taking cover during Russian strike on Sumy Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | July 14th, 2026 – Morning Now playing Next Trump watches IndyCar pit stop at the White House Now playing Next US launches strikes on Iran for third straight night Now playing Next World Cup 2026 sticker swap draws thousands for Guinness World Record attempt Now playing Next Iran launches major attacks on Gulf states as chaos reigns over Hormuz Now playing Next France shuts down nuclear reactors as heatwave intensifies Now playing Next 'Coalition of the Willing' leaders to meet in Paris on Monday Now playing Next Ex-Spanish PM Rajoy: French World Cup team playing 'without Frenchmen' Now playing Next Anti-tracking fashion: Startup makes clothes to thwart AI cameras Now playing Next How Casa Batlló is using digital technology to unlock the hidden details of Gaudí, Miró and Gomis Now playing Next Europe Today: Tensions high in the Middle East as Trump vows 20% Hormuz shipping fee Now playing Next Mission to Andros: Wine, cheese and lemons, the 'golden' products shaping the island's future Now playing Next Summer skiers head to melting glacier as heatwave grips France ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT No Comment Drone footage shows devastation after deadly Spain wildfire No Comment Major wildfire rages south of Paris during heatwave No Comment Spain wildfire: Firefighters gain ground as Almería evacuees return home No Comment France: hundreds dive into the Seine for Paris’ first river race in 80 years Azerbaijan Peace is possible, Aliyev tells global media forum in Shusha Europe News Hungarian parliament removes President Tamás Sulyok from office Iran Trump reimposes US blockade and demands 20% Hormuz shipping fee Cult Qatar-Mexico Year of Culture builds lasting ties beyond the World Cup Europe News Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez urges better prevention after deadly wildfire in south Europe News US Congress battles over allowing Turkey to return to the F-35 programme Economy France shuts down nuclear reactors as heatwave intensifies The Cube No, the EU is not about to censor access to the internet ADVERTISEMENT Art 'Mind the sticky patch!': Why has this Dutch museum covered the floor in peanut butter? Europe News EU-UK sanctions target Russia over Europe-wide 'vast cyber campaign' Europe in Motion Shark fin trade declines in EU as Brussels mulls total ban Europe Today Food security is 'at the forefront' of everybody's mind, Irish agriculture minister says Culture news New Zealand treasure Sam Neill, known for his roles in ‘Jurassic Park’ and 'The Piano', dies aged 78 Europe Today Europe Today: Iran war flares up as EU weighs sanctions on Israeli settlements Europe News Anti-tracking fashion: Startup designs clothing to foil AI surveillance cameras Thailand Fire at pub on outskirts of Bangkok kills at least 30 people and injures dozens ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT