Ringing

Our co-ordinator Wendy Hermon has a limited ringing licence from the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and fits BTO rings to birds on their release. The data is logged and can be easily accessed by us for reference as required. In some instances where we are particularly anxious to keep track of a bird we also fit a large white Darvic ring with a unique series of letters/and or numbers. These are easily visible when the birds are in the water and assists in quick and accurate identification.

At the annual ceremony of Swan Upping the breeding swans between Sunbury and Abingdon are caught, checked and ringed. Some of our volunteers often assist the Uppers by advising the whereabouts of the broods and providing the existing data. Oxford University, Ornithologists accompany the swan uppers and fit BTO rings to unrung birds after weighing and measuring them. The Dyers and Vintners now give the swans a sturdy metal ring in addition. The Queen's swans do not normally have an additional ring.

Click here for photos of Swan Upping.