Read Ebook {PDF EPUB} A Swan for Christmas by M.M. Wilde More Animal Symbolism. As we are aware in the United States, in any number of media (film, literature, music, dance), the swan is a symbol of peace and tranquility. What we maybe aren’t aware of, however, is that swans are closely associated with many Native American peoples. It is actually connected to one of the most sacred mysteries of the Lakota/Dakota religion, in which the swan acts as a messenger of faith. In England, the swan is a symbol of loyalty and strength. Swan is a royal bird and it is even illegal to kill a swan in the United Kingdom. Swans are present in many European fairy tales, symbolizing chastity (partly because of their white plumage), artistry, and beauty. On a related note, swans are associated with fidelity, loyalty in marriage, and monogamy, because they mate for life. Man’s connection with swans goes back further than European fairy tales, however. The swan was seen as a traditional symbol of beauty and grace in ancient Greece, and was sacred to Aphrodite. The swan was also sacred to Apollo, the god of music (among other things), in Greek mythology. At the time, the people believed that the swan sang a sweet and beautiful song when people died. The swan song was supposed to be the most beautiful song the bird had ever sung, since swans aren’t known for their singing. The swan is one of the most powerful and ancient totems. Even the word swan is one of the oldest names in the English language, coming from the Anglo-Saxons. Most of swan’s associations come from its appearance—it is a graceful, white bird, and the largest of the waterfowl. But swans are also powerful birds. From this, they reflect the power and longevity that is possible when we awaken to the power and beauty within ourselves. Swan is not only a widely known symbol, but also a very personal one to the individual. Information from Ted Andrews's Animal-Speak , Jessica Dawn Palmer's Animal Wisdom , and Steven D. Farmer's Power Animals. A Swan for Christmas by M.M. Wilde. Open all day for drinks & coffee. Utilising all small local suppliers and the finest Yorkshire produce we change our menu regularly to reflect the best quality seasonal ingredients available to us. With lots of daily blackboard fish specials, homemade breads, our own jams and chutneys and our own cakes and puddings. "This pub is an absolute gem! We have visited several times, each time we visit the food is always outstanding and the presentation of the food is fabulous! This pub is excellent value for money. The specials board always has a wide range of dishes on! The atmosphere is lovely and relaxing. The staff are attentive, friendly and professional. We will be back again!" from Trip Advisor Feb 2020. Lunch Menu. THE WILD SWAN. LUNCH MENU. SANDWICHES.. All served on toasted homemade Focaccia bread with skinny fries 6.95. Pink prawns, Marie rose & lemon.. Roast Beef, Rocket & Parmesan.. Cheese n Pickle.. SMOOTH CHICKEN LIVER PARFAIT. Toasted Brioche, apple brandy chutney start 6.95 g. Sliced meats, Pate, House pickles, crostini, green salad start 6.95. THAI SALMON FISHCAKES. Hispi cabbage slaw, lime, Chilli & ginger sauce start 6.95 main 14.95. FRESH WILD MUSHROOM RISOTTO. Laced with Tarragon and topped with melting Brie start 6.95 main 14.95 v. CRISP BELLY PORK. Tossed in sweet soy, fresh limes and Asian vegetables start 7.95. CRISP TEMPURA PRAWNS. Thai salad, sweet chilli dipping sauce start 7.95 main 15.95 s. FRESH SEAFOOD LINGUINE. Langoustine Bisque, parsley, lemon, fresh seafood 15.95 s. YORKSHIRE STEAK BURGER. Bacon & smoked Applewood in a toasted Brioche bun 13.95. BEER BATTER HADDOCK & CHIPS. Twice cooked chips, crushed Peas, homemade Tartare and lemon 13.95. Wild swan CHICKEN & HAM HOCK PIE. Shortcrust pastry, French peas, skinny fries 13.95. ROASTED VEGAN CAULIFLOWER STEAK. Caper, chilli & lime dressing, skinny fries, Chicory salad 12.95 v. FRESH SEA BASS FILLET. King Prawn & lemon Risotto 15.95. Truffle & Parmesan fries 2.25 Tempura vegetables 2.25 Green salad 2.25. g Can be Gluten free n contains nuts s Shellfish v vegetarian. Lunch/Early Evening Menu. EARLY EVENING MENU. £14.50 for Two Courses.. served till 6:15pm. SMOOTH CHICKEN LIVER PARFAIT. Toasted Brioche, Apple & Calvados chutney g. ROASTED CELERIAC, TRUFFLE & HAZELNUT SOUP. served with homemade bread v n g. CLASSIC PRAWN COCKTAIL. Pink prawns, Marie rose & lemons s. SMOKED HADDOCK FISHCAKE. Rocket salad, tartare sauce. BEER BATTER HADDOCK & CHIPS. Twice cooked chips, crushed Peas, homemade Tartare and lemon. Wild swan STEAK & ALE PIE. Topped with creamy mash. Smoked Haddock, Cod & Salmon, creamy mash & breadcrumbs s. A rich broth of Pancetta, confit Potato, spinach & chicken crackling. DARK BELGIAN CHOCOLATE & ORANGE CHEESECAKE. Fresh Raspberry sorbet. Wild Swan LEMON & BERRY MESS… Crushed Meringue, homemade lemon curd, Mulled Berries. STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING. Butterscotch sauce and Homemade Vanilla ice cream. VANILLA & LEMON PANNA COTTA. Fresh Gingerbread and candied toasted Pumpkin seeds. v Vegetarian n contains nuts g Gluten free d dairy free. Dinner Menu. SMOOTH CHICKEN LIVER PARFAIT. Toasted Brioche, apple brandy chutney start 6.95 g. Sliced meats, Pate, House pickles, crostini, green salad start 6.95. THAI SALMON FISHCAKES. Hispi cabbage slaw, lime, Chilli & ginger sauce start 6.95 main 14.95. FRESH WILD MUSHROOM RISOTTO. Laced with Tarragon and topped with melting Brie start 6.95 main 14.95 v. CRISP BELLY PORK. Tossed in sweet soy, fresh limes and Asian vegetables start 7.95. CRISP TEMPURA PRAWNS. Thai salad, sweet chilli dipping sauce start 7.95 main 15.95 s. FRESH SEAFOOD LINGUINE. Langoustine Bisque, parsley, lemon, fresh seafood 15.95 s. YORKSHIRE STEAK BURGER. Bacon, smoked Applewood & Onion rings in a toasted Brioche bun 13.95. BEER BATTER HADDOCK & CHIPS. Twice cooked chips, crushed Peas, homemade Tartare and lemon 13.95. Wild swan CHICKEN & HAM HOCK PIE. Shortcrust pastry, French peas, skinny fries 13.95. ROASTED VEGAN CAULIFLOWER STEAK. Caper, chilli & lime dressing, skinny fries, Chicory salad 12.95 v. FRESH SEA BASS FILLET. King Prawn & lemon Risotto 15.95. YORKSHIRE RIB EYE STEAK. Peppercorn sauce, Rocket salad, skinny fries & onion rings 21.95. Truffle & Parmesan fries 2.25 Tempura vegetables 2.25 Green salad 2.25. g Can be Gluten free n contains nuts s Shellfish v v. Sunday Lunch Menu. SUNDAYS at the WILD SWAN (Menu changes weekly) Our famous CRAB SOUP Laced with brandy, garlic & cream gs. ROASTED CELERIAC, TRUFFLE & HAZELNUT SOUP served with homemade bread vng. SMOOTH CHICKEN LIVER PARFAIT toasted Brioche and cherry compote g. SMOKED SALMON Served simply with fresh lemon and garden salad g d. GOATS CHEESE & FRESH CRANBERRY TARTLET Toasted Walnut and apple salad nv. SMOKED HADDOCK FISHCAKE Pickled baby & Sea vegetables, tartare sauce. CLASSIC PRAWN COCKTAIL With homemade Marie rose sauce and lemon gs. PRIME SIRLOIN of BEEF Yorkshire Pudding & proper gravy. ROAST LOIN of YORKSHIRE PORK Crisp crackling, Stuffing and our own Apple sauce. TRADITIONAL ROASTED CHICKEN Homemade stuffing, and its own rich juices. Wild Swan FRESH FISH PIE Smoked Haddock, Cod & prawns, topped with breadcrumbs s. FRESH SEA BASS FILLET Pan seared over King Prawn & lemon Risotto. FRESH SALMON FILLET New potatoes, Samphire & Broccoli, Citrus sauce. FRESH COD LOIN Cooked till flaking over fresh Mussel Chowder. HARROGATE BLUE AND WATERCRESS SOUFFLE Roasted Shallot & chestnut salad vn. `WILD SWAN` STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING Butterscotch sauce, Homemade ice cream. VANILLA & LEMON PANNACOTTA Gingerbread, candied toasted pumpkin seeds & honey. HOMEMADE APPLE CRUMBLE Served with our Excellent vanilla custard sauce. WILD SWAN MESS Layered with crisp Meringue, mulled Berries and Crème Chantilly. YORKSHIRE CHEESEBOARD.. Little known Artisan Yorkshire Cheeses with Christmas chutney. DARK BELGIAN CHOCOLATE & ORANGE CHEESECAKE Fresh Raspberry sorbet. CREAMY RICE PUDDING Served with berry compote. Two courses £19.95 Three courses £23.95. v Vegetarian n contains nuts g Can be Gluten free d dairy free s shellfish. Kids Menu. LITTLE PEOPLE`s MENU. MINI HADDOCK N` CHIPS. STRIPS of fresh CHICKEN BREAST. DESPARATE DAN COW PIE. FISH PIE topped with CHEESEY MASH. (All served with Garden Peas and lots of Ketchup) CHOCOLATE & ORANGE CHEESECAKE. STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING & VANILLA ICE CREAM. ICE CREAM & SORBET. A big MESS WITH MERINGUE, BERRIES, CREAM & LEMON CURD. All our food is cooked in a little kitchen and there is always nuts, milk, flour, Celery, shellfish and all sorts of things flying around. We cannot guarantee absolute ‘free from’ conditions. Meat Free Menu. All dishes can be served as a starter or a main course. Start £7.95 Main £15.95. Fresh homemade Focaccia made every day in our Kitchen. ROASTED CELERIAC, TRUFFLE & HAZELNUT SOUP g n. Served with our homemade bread. HARROGATE BLUE AND WATERCRESS SOUFFLE. Roasted Shallot & chestnut salad n. FRESH LEEK RISOTTO. Charred Tomatoes, Rocket & Poppy seed tuille g. WINTER VEGETABLE CAKE. Pan fried over a broth of wilted Chard, Confit Potatoes & Chestnuts g n. Roasted Vegetables £2.25 Skinny fries £2.25 Green Salad £2.25. v Vegetarian n contains nuts g Can be Gluten free. All our food is cooked in a little kitchen and there is always nuts, milk, flour, Celery, shellfish and all sorts of things flying around. We cannot guarantee absolute ‘free from’ conditions. Pudding Menu. THE WILD SWAN. DESSERTS. SUMMER BERRY MASCARPONI CHEESCAKE. Fresh Raspberries & berry coulis. CLASSIC TARTE TATIN. Golden caramel, homemade Vanilla pod ice cream. STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING. Butterscotch sauce, vanilla ice cream. BELGIAN CHOCOLATE TART. WILD SWAN CHEESE BOARD. 3 Yorkshire cheeses, Peters Yard biscuits, chutney, celery & grapes. Why not try one of our delicious dessert wines to go with… Black Muscat Elysium California.. Strawberry, cherry & watermelon 5.95. Orange Muscat `Essensia` California.. Sweet Orange & Apricots 6.95. Cappuccino.. Americano.. Latte.. Mocha… Liqueur Coffee.. Yorkshire Tea. Here’s the Strange History Behind Why Swans Are a Symbol of English Royalty. Prince George and Princess Charlotte aren’t the only ones who get to reap the rewards of the royal treatment in the United Kingdom—swans do too. Every year towards the end of July, the Queen’s Royal Swan Marker and her Swan Uppers grab their red or blue blazers with royal insignia, hop in their wooden skiffs and row up the 79-mile long River Thames with the help of the Worshipful Companies of Dyers and Vintners, two of the richest and most powerful trade guilds in London, to count swans in an effort to help protect the mute swan population. The extravagant five- day event is called Swan Upping, an old tradition deep-seated in a former era when the crown tried to exert its authority over who could and couldn’t own swans. Back in the Medieval Ages, swans were seen as a luxury good that only the wealthiest with a purse full of shillings could afford. During Edward III’s reign, swans were priced at four to five shillings apiece, which was about three to four times the price of a pheasant and nearly 10 times more than a goose. (Check out how much the British Royal Family is actually worth!) In fact, Henry III issued a number of mandates in 1249 for swans to be used at royal festivals. For every feast he hosted, he demanded that the sheriffs in that county deliver him the exact amount of swans he requested for the occasion and nothing less. The largest swan requisition totaled in at 125 swans for the royal court’s Christmas feast at York in 1251. In fact, the earliest record of swan-keeping on the Thames occurred in 1230 when Henry III issued a mandate which stated that a brood of swans should be divided amongst the owners of the parent birds instead of the owner of the dam keeping them all for himself. A custom that was typically reserved for domesticated animals. By 1483, several Acts of Parliament started restricting the ownership of Thames swans to protect the exclusivity of this fair commodity. One act designated swan ownership to people with freehold estate of at least five marks a year. In other words, commoners were prohibited from owning the regal bird. To declare proper ownership of the birds, people had to purchase a swan mark at a pricey six shillings to nick into the beak of their swan. Any swans without a mark were automatically property of the crown. One historian said there were as many as 630 different swan marks circulating between 1450 and 1600. And the penalty for defacing, counterfeiting, or altering a swan mark was pretty tough – one year in prison. But these strict, classist rules didn’t stop people from swan stealing or breaking the law and owning a forbidden majestic swan anyway. (These are the 14 etiquette rules every royal must follow. Period.) Towards the end of the 18 th century, swan rights on the Thames were limited to only three groups: the English Crown, and the Worshipful Companies of Dyers and Vintners. The king’s swans had two diamond-shaped marks on the bill, the Dyers company made one nick on the left side of the upper mandible, and the Vintners company nicked two marks on either side of the bill, while all other unmarked swans still remain property of the crown to this day. The act of catching young swans in the river to mark them was the early beginnings of the modern day swan upping. If you observe swan upping in present-day England, you’ll still hear the traditional cry of “All up!” when someone spots a mother swan and her babies gliding gracefully across the water. But the centuries-old English custom has evolved greatly since its start. The uppers for the Crown and Dyers and Vintners companies no longer grab swans to exert their supreme status or consume them. Now their methods are much more humble— to protect and conserve the pristine white birds. (This is the incredibly sweet reason why Prince William broke royal protocol.) Mute swans are protected under the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act, which makes it illegal to keep the birds and kill them. In 1985, the mute swan population dwindled from 1,300 birds in the 1960s to just seven pairs of birds due to river pollution, poisonous lead fishing weights, dog attacks, and the overpopulation of predators. Once the mute swans are corralled towards the riverbank by the skiffs, the Uppers jump into the water, grab them and restrain their legs so they can weigh, count, and examine the swans for injuries. Rings mark the birds from the Dyers and Vintners companies, while the Crown’s swans remain unmarked. Thanks to the swan upping conservation efforts, the mute swans came in at a count of 134 this year, an increase from 72 in 2016. Do you aspire to be royal one day? The Royal Family never says these eight words and neither should you. Experience The Magic. Leave the everyday behind and enter a world of wonder at the award-winning Walt Disney World Swan, Walt Disney World Dolphin and Walt Disney World Swan Reserve. Centrally located in the heart of the Walt Disney World® Resort, our resorts provide an incredibly comfortable place to relax after a fun-filled day at the parks. Walt Disney World Swan Resort. Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort. Walt Disney World Swan Reserve. Our Resorts. Inside our magnificent resorts, an environment of elegance and sophistication awaits. From our spectacular lobbies and unique restaurants to the exotic Mandara Spa and our incredibly comfortable guest rooms, we offer the ultimate escape. Ideally Situated in the Heart of Walt Disney World Theme Parks. Located in the heart of the most magical place on earth, the Walt Disney World Swan, the Walt Disney World Dolphin and the Walt Disney World Swan Reserve provide a truly extraordinary backdrop for your vacation. Take a complimentary water taxi from our boat dock to Epcot or Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or feel free to take a leisurely stroll. Boats depart every 15-20 minutes. We offer complimentary transportation to all Walt Disney World parks and attractions, including Disney Springs. Buses depart every 20-30 minutes. Exclusive Disney Resort Guest Benefits. Disney Planning Center. Why wait? Disney Cast Members can show you how to make your Disney dreams come true! We can assist you with a full array of Walt Disney World tickets, eliminate your wait time in ticketing lines at the gates, “Insider tips” scheduling Disney activities, dining reservations, and more! Exclusive Disney Resort Guest Benefits. Complimentary Scheduled Transportation. Take a leisurely stroll to Epcot® and Disney’s Hollywood Studios™ or take a shuttle bus to other areas and Disney resorts within Walt Disney World® Resort. The buses arrive at our hotel approximately every 20 – 30 minutes so you can come and go as you please with very little wait time. Exclusive Disney Resort Guest Benefits. On-site and Online Disney Tickets. Save time by ordering your Disney Theme Park tickets in advance. You can place your order online and pick up your tickets at the Disney Planning Center, which is located at the Disney Gift Store in the Swan. You may also visit any will call window located at Disney theme parks, or request express mail service to ensure your tickets arrive at your home before you leave. Of course, you can always purchase your tickets upon arrival too. Exclusive Disney Resort Guest Benefits. Advance Tee Times. Walt Disney World® Resort has three championship golf courses plus a nine-hole walking course. Currently there are 63 breathtaking holes. As a guest of the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, you are able to take advantage of advance tee times. Click here to learn more about these challenging courses. Exclusive Disney Resort Guest Benefits. Complimentary Parking at Disney Theme Parks. Guests who choose to drive their own car to the Walt Disney World Theme Parks will receive free parking just by showing your Disney resort hotel room key! For information on parking at The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, click here. Exclusively Disney. Aside from adventures at Walt Disney World® Theme Parks and the golf at championship Walt Disney World courses, we offer an endless choice of recreational activities right here on the resort grounds. Throughout the year we have different vacation specials so you can experience all that Disney World has to offer with a deal that is best for you! The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resorts offer a variety of seasonal and culinary events throughout the year. Click here to learn more about our upcoming events. The Fascinating, Regal History Behind Britain’s Swans. The aristocratic bird’s has a legacy as a luxury status symbol that dates back centuries. Queen of the United Kingdom; Head of the Commonwealth; Defender of the Faith; Commander in Chief of the British Armed Forces; Sovereign of the Most Noble Order of the Garter; Sovereign of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle; all titles held by Elizabeth II. Not included in this illustrious list is one of her lesser-used ones, the Seigneur of the Swans, a holdover from an era centuries ago when the (literally) regal avians denoted class, wealth and status. The strange and ancient relationship between the swan and the British crown manifests itself to this day in a tradition known as “Swan Upping.” Some 40 miles west of London, the Queen’s Swan Uppers arrive at Mapledurham Lock on the River Thames. They’re traveling in traditional wooden rowing skiffs, each with three or four crewmen in smart blue or red blazers with royal insignia. Some have white swan feathers pushed into the peak of their caps. Royal pennants showing swans against blue and red backgrounds flutter from the boats. The blue flags represent two of London’s ancient trade guilds, the Worshipful Companies of Dyers and Vintners. The guilds are some of the richest and most powerful organizations in London, and since at least the 15th century have been granted the right to own mute swans on the Thames. (Mute swans have the elegantly curved necks, orange beaks and white feathers that most people think of when they picture swans.) The red flags are for the Queen’s Swan Warden, the man charged with counting all the mute swans on the Thames between Sunbury Lock in West London and Abingdon in Oxfordshire, a 79-mile stretch of river that takes five days to navigate. The traditional cry of: “All up!” goes up from one of the skiffs; a female swan and her cygnets (baby swans) have been spotted gliding over the water. The boats maneuver to corral the birds towards the bank where Uppers, as the crew is known, jump out and grab them, restraining the adult’s powerful legs behind her so she can be examined. The birds are counted, weighed and checked for injury and ownership marks. The Dyers and Vintners companies use rings to mark their birds, while the Crown’s swans are unmarked. Today, the practice serves as a conservation tool to track swan populations and the health of the Thames, but once upon a time it was the way in which the crown exerted its control over the swan population on the river. Swans—who owns them, who breeds them and who eats them—is an issue for the British that has generated legal statutes, sparked courtroom battles and engaged town councils in bitter arguments since the Middle Ages. There is a legend that the mute swan was introduced to Britain by Richard I in the 12th century, who brought them back from his campaigns during the Crusades. Today, ornithologists believe the bird is probably native to the country, with archaeological evidence for the presence of swans dating back as far back as the late glacial period, 10,000 years ago. Since ancient times, swans have been associated with tranquility and nobility, featuring in myths and stories around the world. Their high status is likely to have come about because of their perceived beauty and natural behavior; they are solitary birds, strong and aggressively protective of their young but at the same time graceful and elegant on the water. Ask a local in a British pub about swans and you might well be told that the Queen owns all the swans in the country and that only she is allowed to eat them. This popular misconception, often repeated as common knowledge in the U.K., has a kernel of historical truth that tells the story of the swan as status symbol in Medieval England. Swans were luxury goods in Europe from at least the 12th century onward; the Medieval equivalent of flashing a Rolex or driving a Lamborghini. Owning swans signaled nobility, along with flying a hawk, running hounds or riding a battle-trained destrier. Swans were eaten as a special dish at feasts, served as a centerpiece in their skin and feathers with a lump of blazing incense in the beak. They were particularly associated with Christmas, when they would be served in large numbers at royal feasts; forty swans were ordered for Henry III’s Christmas celebrations in 1247 at Winchester, for example. In 1496 the Secretary to the Venetian Ambassador wrote that it was “a truly beautiful thing to behold one or two thousand tame swans upon the River Thames”. A century later, during reign of Elizabeth I, German lawyer and travel writer Paul Hentzner described colonies of swans living “in great security, nobody daring to molest, much less kill, any of them, under penalty of a large fine.” To protect swans as an exclusive commodity, in 1482 the crown ordained that only landowners of a certain income could keep the birds. Ownership of swans was recorded by a code of marks nicked into the beak of the bird; an intricate system of these ‘swan marks’ developed. Only those who owned the right to use an official swan mark could own swans, and marks were restricted and expensive to purchase. Any swans that didn’t bear a mark were automatically the property of the crown. This effectively meant that only the monarch, wealthy landowners and some large institutions like trade guilds, cathedrals and universities could afford swan ownership. Roll showing private swan marks, Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire (The National Archives) Local councils appointed swan collectors to round up wild swans to add to official flocks (the local equivalent of the royal ‘upping’) and held ‘Swanmoots’, specially convened swan courts that heard cases related to swan ownership. The penalties for ignoring or defacing swan marks were harsh. In 1570, the Order of Swannes, a legal document setting out the rules relating to the birds , recorded that “if any person do raze out, counterfeit or alter the mark of any swan [they …] shall suffer one year’s imprisonment.” There were similar tough sentences for stealing eggs or killing adult birds. The prestige of swan ownership went far beyond their appeal as a delicacy. They were impressive enough as the centerpiece of a feast, but a swan in itself was not particularly expensive. The real desirability came from the right to own swans at all, because purchasing a swan mark was so expensive. To have a “game” of swans elegantly sculling around the lake of your stately pile required funds and status. The rules relating to swans prevented ordinary people from interacting with them at all, beyond being able to see them on the river. If you weren’t an officially recognized swan keeper it was forbidden to sell swans, to drive them away from your land, to mark them or even to hunt with dogs or lay nets and traps on the river at certain times of year in case swans were injured. The right to own swans was granted to the Vintners and Dyers city livery companies in the 15th century. The exact reason for the dispensation has not been recorded, but it is likely to have been a sweetener to strengthen relationships between the crown and the powerful trade guilds. Swan remained a delicacy eaten as part of Christmas celebrations right up until the 18th century, but even after that, it was still only legal to kill and eat a swan if it had a legitimate swan mark. As such, it remained a luxury for the rich. During the Victorian period, swan fell out of fashion as a dish, and by the 20th century was rarely eaten. "Swan Upping on the Thames", from Henry Robert Robertson's Life on the Upper Thames, 1875. (Public Domain) It took until 1998 for the law to change so it was no longer treasonous to eat a swan in the U.K. But as a native species, mute swans are now protected as wild birds under the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act and under this law it is still illegal to keep or kill them. For several decades swans were under threat from river pollution, dog attacks and increasing populations of predators like red kite and mink. From a population on the Thames of around 1,300 in the 1960s, numbers were down to just seven pairs of birds in 1985. But conservation work such as bans on poisonous lead fishing weights and the clean up of the river Thames in recent years appears to be turning this decline around. At Mapledurham Lock, waiting for the boats to continue their journey, the Queen’s Swan Marker David Barber says the count this year is positive. “On the first day we counted 36 cygnets, and that’s double the amount on that day last year. Swan numbers are rising, and I put that down to the work we’re doing, talking to everyone from school children to fishing clubs to educate them about looking after swans.” Although technically all unmarked swans on open water in the U.K. still belong to the crown, the Queen only exercises her swan ownership rights on this one stretch of the Thames. Likely, the reason is because historically only the swans near London were of practical use, and monitoring them is a labor-intensive activity. The final count on the Thames this year came in at 134, a substantial increase on last year’s figure of 72. Swans still face threats from pollution, loss of riverside habitats and predators, but the signs are looking good that the population is returning to a healthy level, and that the birds will be a feature of the Thames for many more generations to come.