Dorset Event Photographer: Abbotsbury Swannery Round-up 2011
23rd July 2011
Dorset Event Photographer
Abbotsbury Swannery Round-up 2011
Early Saturday morning saw another successful bi-annual roundup and census of the swans along the Fleet, behind Chesil Beach in Dorset, by staff from Abbotsbury Swannery and volunteers from across the country.
David Wheeler, Abbotsbury's Swan Herd said "This is the 16th roundup we've had at Abbotsbury and all went very smoothly." More than 750 swans were rounded up in the process where they are checked by vets, weighed, recorded and ringed where necessary.
A large number of the swans are known to be local to Abbotsbury but many are also noted as visitors to the area by their different coloured leg rings.
The roundup started on Friday with some 70 canoes slowly herding swans down from the Portland end of the Fleet where they were encouraged to stay overnight at Abbotsbury Swannery by a temporary boom across the narrowest part of the Fleet.
At sunrise on Saturday morning, the swans were brought ashore into holding pens ready for the census by 200 volunteers wading out or paddling canoes.
Once processed the swans were then carried back to the waters edge where they were released back onto the Fleet.
Swans have been recorded at Abbotsbury since at least the 14th Century, with David Wheeler able to trace his predecessors back to William Squilor, the Swan Herd for Abbotsbury in 1393.
In past years more than a 1000 birds have been rounded up. This year’s numbers are thought to be lower because of the high number of seagulls, crows and foxes preying on young cygnets around the lagoon.
Abbotsbury Swannery Round-up 2011
Early Saturday morning saw another successful bi-annual roundup and census of the swans along the Fleet, behind Chesil Beach in Dorset, by staff from Abbotsbury Swannery and volunteers from across the country.
David Wheeler, Abbotsbury's Swan Herd said "This is the 16th roundup we've had at Abbotsbury and all went very smoothly." More than 750 swans were rounded up in the process where they are checked by vets, weighed, recorded and ringed where necessary.
A large number of the swans are known to be local to Abbotsbury but many are also noted as visitors to the area by their different coloured leg rings.
The roundup started on Friday with some 70 canoes slowly herding swans down from the Portland end of the Fleet where they were encouraged to stay overnight at Abbotsbury Swannery by a temporary boom across the narrowest part of the Fleet.
At sunrise on Saturday morning, the swans were brought ashore into holding pens ready for the census by 200 volunteers wading out or paddling canoes.
Once processed the swans were then carried back to the waters edge where they were released back onto the Fleet.
Swans have been recorded at Abbotsbury since at least the 14th Century, with David Wheeler able to trace his predecessors back to William Squilor, the Swan Herd for Abbotsbury in 1393.
In past years more than a 1000 birds have been rounded up. This year’s numbers are thought to be lower because of the high number of seagulls, crows and foxes preying on young cygnets around the lagoon.
Comments
By Lynne Heathcote: Wonderful, I just wish I lived close enough to volunteer, it must be a great experience and privilege to get so close to such beautiful birds. I have visited you twice now, the first time May 2011 while on a cruise was just too early for the hatchings so came back this year a bit later and was enchanted by the cygnets. Maybe next year.... By Amy Collins: What an amazing event! I was there, helpinh put with the jabs - nice photos :) By mary-ann morse: have just looked at your photos again of 20011 roundup never get tiered at looking at memories of another wondreful round up good wishes for 20012