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Annual Royal Swan Upping takes place on River Thames

Swans on the River Thames being counted during the annual Swan Upping.PA

A count of the Queen's swans has taken place on the River Thames. Each year a team get in boats and get out on the river to check how many of the birds there are.

The Swan Marker and his team set off in boats to count the swans.Getty Images

On certain parts of the Thames, swans called mute swans are owned by the Queen. They are counted by the Royal Swan Marker and his team. This tradition has been going on for the last 800 years.

A swan flaps its wings as people try to catch it.Getty Images

It's not always an easy job to catch and tag the swans. This bird doesn't seem too keen.

A man holds a swan ready for tagging.Getty Images

Once they've managed to get hold of the birds they check they are healthy and add them to the count which is called a census.

Royal Swan Marker David Barber holds a cygnet during the count.Dan Kitwood

The number of new baby swans, called cygnets, is recorded to see how well the population is doing.

A cygnet has been tagged as part of the Swan Upping.Dan Kitwood

This cute cygnet has been weighed and tagged to check it is healthy.

Swan Marker David Barber shows Neave a young swan called a cygnet during the annual Swan Upping on the River Thames.PA

This girl got a chance to meet a young swan.

A young swan being measured.PA

The birds are measured, weighed and tagged when they are caught. Don't worry it doesn't hurt them and then they are set free again.

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