Bird of Britain
The swan is possibly the most beautiful bird to grace our waterways – with its pristine white plumage, long, elegantly curved neck and almost regal appearance.
Our association with the swan goes back thousands of years – paintings of it have been found in Bronze Age caves and there are many references to it in Ancient Greek and Roman history.
Universally acknowledged as the most beautiful of the large water birds, the swan has been a source of inspiration for storytellers, artists, musicians and poets for centuries.
Stories, legends, myths, folklore and lms have captured its beauty. Its name has crept into our language, with the use of phrases such as ‘swanning around’ and the concept of the ‘swan song’. It has become recognised as a symbol of love and delity because of the lifelong bond between male and female, and it is revered in many religions and cultures throughout the world.
Here in Britain, the swan has a special signi cance because of its links with the Queen. It has been known as a royal bird since the 12th century and today the Crown retains the right to ownership of all unmarked swans in open water. 
The reason for this royal connection is that swans were once kept and bred by our ancestors as a source of food, and their ownership was controlled by the reigning monarch.
Each year the swans were rounded up during an annual census, called ‘Swan Upping’. This tradition still continues today, in July every year, but of course as swans are no longer eaten, its focus is now on swan welfare and conservation.
Three years ago, Her Majesty the Queen attended the ceremony for the only time in her reign – it was the first time a monarch had witnessed the event in centuries.
The Swan Upping record provides important information about the number of swans on our waterways over the course of time, and it is a very useful indicator of the general health of our rivers.
IN THE WILD
There are six main species of swan in several countries around the world, but the mute swan is the only one that breeds naturally here in the UK. It is also found and breeds in many parts of Europe and Asia.
Throughout history, swans have been kept in captivity as decoration for parks and ponds, and inevitably some of these birds have escaped and formed naturalised wild colonies. This explains why small populations of mute swans can now be found outside their normal range, in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
What is it about the swan that we find so attractive and compelling? Its influence on our society is perhaps greater than any other animal, and this bond between man and bird stretches far back in our history.
The three basic characteristics of colour, behaviour and shape are all equally important in understanding the strength of our attraction to the swan. Traditionally we associate the colour white with purity, cleanliness and love (brides get married in white).
Because of the tendency of swans to stay together for life, we see them as symbolising loyalty and fidelity.
A courting pair will swim closely together, mimicking each other’s movements, sometimes arching their necks to form a familiar heart shape, another symbol of love.
On the other hand, the male swan will fiercely defend the pair’s territory and protect the family – strong and admirable behaviour that we much admire. The swan’s long, slender neck is one of its most distinguishing features, inspirational to artists and poets, especially when it is reflected in calm water. Being associated with water also has cultural and religious significance; water is symbolic of creativity, emotion and intuition.
A HARD LIFE
Swans give the impression of living a peaceful and carefree existence. They are strictly protected by law, with hefty fines and even prison sentences for humans who violate those laws.
But the swan’s existence is a difficult one, and it still needs our help, care and vigilance to ensure it continues to flourish.
Swans have few natural enemies, but sadly many unnatural ones: thousands of them are harassed, attacked, poisoned and injured by mindless wildlife vandals every year.
And one non-native predator in particular has had a significant negative effect on the numbers of swans – the mink, which was introduced from North America into Britain in the late 1920s and bred for its fur.
There have been many escapees and they are now established successfully in the wild. In some areas, such as along the river Thames, many swan fatalities are the result of mink attacks.
The endless march of human civilisation, and all that this brings with it (such as loss of habitat, lead poisoning and pollution) is also taking its toll on swan numbers.
Fortunately there is substantial public interest in and support for swans, and various bodies are actively involved in their conservation.
So the future looks promising and we should be able to continue to see and admire these beautiful creatures for many years to come.
The Swan: A Natural History by Malcolm Schuyl is published by Merlin Unwin Books, priced £20.
Swan sayings…
The word ‘swan’ has been used for many hundreds of years and not surprisingly has been incorporated into our language in various ways. Here are just a few:
Swan dive North American term for a shallow dive.
Swanling Another word for cygnet (analogous to the words duckling and gosling).
Swan neck A tube or a rail, etc, curved like a swan’s neck.
Swanskin A type of brushed flannel cotton twill fabric.
Swan song The last work or performance, for example of a musician before retirement: originates from the ancient Greek belief that the swan was silent except for the one song it sang when dying, a notion seized on by Western poets and artists.
Swan around To move around aimlessly, without any real intention or destination, also ‘swanning around’.
Up the Swannee Generally taken to mean something going wrong: this is most likely a reference to the Suwannee River in the southern United States rather than the swan, although like many phrases, there is much uncertainty and debate about its exact origin and meaning.