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| Thames Swan census expects rise in numbers for 2015 | Thames Swan census expects rise in numbers for 2015 |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| The number of swans on the River Thames recorded in the annual census is expected to have risen, despite the deaths of two breeding pairs. | The number of swans on the River Thames recorded in the annual census is expected to have risen, despite the deaths of two breeding pairs. |
| The Queen's Swan Marker, David Barber, said there had been an increase in air gun shootings, particularly in Windsor, Berkshire, during the winter. | The Queen's Swan Marker, David Barber, said there had been an increase in air gun shootings, particularly in Windsor, Berkshire, during the winter. |
| "We've lost at least two of the breeding pairs this year because of the shootings," he said. | "We've lost at least two of the breeding pairs this year because of the shootings," he said. |
| The Swan Upping ceremony commenced at 09:00 BST in Sunbury, Surrey. | |
| The five-day survey also passes through Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. | The five-day survey also passes through Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. |
| Last year, when Mr Barber also raised concerns over shootings, the census recorded 2,014 swans, including 120 cygnets and 34 breeding pairs. | Last year, when Mr Barber also raised concerns over shootings, the census recorded 2,014 swans, including 120 cygnets and 34 breeding pairs. |
| He said numbers did fluctuate but added: "Our expectations are that numbers should be better than last year." | He said numbers did fluctuate but added: "Our expectations are that numbers should be better than last year." |
| Mr Barber said the protected birds were "very easy targets". | Mr Barber said the protected birds were "very easy targets". |
| "When they're shot, some don't get killed straight away - they go off and sometimes take a week to die and that's the awful part," he added. | "When they're shot, some don't get killed straight away - they go off and sometimes take a week to die and that's the awful part," he added. |
| The census dates back to the 12th Century and sees the mute swans on the river rounded up, marked, weighed, health-checked and then released. | The census dates back to the 12th Century and sees the mute swans on the river rounded up, marked, weighed, health-checked and then released. |
| Mr Barber said it also served as a "very important conservation and educational exercise", with many local schools taking part in the event. | Mr Barber said it also served as a "very important conservation and educational exercise", with many local schools taking part in the event. |
| Some of the lowest numbers recorded in recent years were in the 1980s due to lead poisoning, Mr Barber said. | Some of the lowest numbers recorded in recent years were in the 1980s due to lead poisoning, Mr Barber said. |
| Flooding on the Thames cancelled a section of the ceremony in 2012. | Flooding on the Thames cancelled a section of the ceremony in 2012. |
| The Crown retains the right to ownership of all unmarked mute swans in open water. | The Crown retains the right to ownership of all unmarked mute swans in open water. |
| Killing or injuring them is punishable by a six-month prison term and, in some cases, a fine up to £5,000. | Killing or injuring them is punishable by a six-month prison term and, in some cases, a fine up to £5,000. |