{"id":29344,"date":"2022-07-22T22:27:33","date_gmt":"2022-07-22T21:27:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/abingdonblog.co.uk\/?p=29344"},"modified":"2022-07-22T22:27:33","modified_gmt":"2022-07-22T21:27:33","slug":"the-swan-that-got-away","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.abingdonblog.co.uk\/?p=29344","title":{"rendered":"The swan that got away"},"content":{"rendered":"


\nThe swan uppers returned to Abingdon for the first time since 2019.<\/p>\n

In 2020, there was no swan upping because of Covid restrictions.<\/p>\n

In 2021, the five-day census of the River Thames’ swans was reduced to three days and did not reach Abingdon.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

On Friday morning, the convoy of rowing boats and motorboats set off from Caversham for their final day, ending in Abingdon.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The man steering the first skiff shouted ‘Swan Up!’ to indicate swans ahead. The uppers surrounded the swan family.
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\nSeven of the cygnets were caught for examination. The adult swans were kept in a reasonably good mood.
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\nBut one cygnet got away. She\/he was pursued by the Royal Swan<\/em> motorboat downstream and across the river. Having escaped that chase, the cygnet returned to be near her\/his parents, and the Royal Swan<\/em> motorboat made another attempt. The cygnet made another dash through a flotilla of boats.<\/p>\n

The examination of the seven other cygnets continued. Only after they were released did the chase for the final cygnet cease.
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\nThe swan uppers then rowed through Abingdon to Abingdon Bridge.
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