Swans in Bristol Floating Harbour

Some populations of white swans live in bristol Floating Harbour. Favourite place of swimming fro them is the dock near by Thekla and wharf close to Mshead.

Swan upping is an annual ceremony in England in which mute swans on the River Thames are rounded up, caught, ringed, and then released.

By prerogative right, the British Crown enjoys ownership of all unmarked mute swans (Cygnus olor) in open water. Other varieties of swan (Bewick's, Whooper etc.) aren't included in this.

The ownership of swans in a given body of water was commonly granted to landowners up to the 16th century. The only bodies still to exercise such rights are two livery companies of the City of London: the Vintners' Company and the Dyers' Company.

So all the swans in the Thames belongs equally the Crown and two livery companies above.

Technically, the Crown owns all unmarked mute swans in open water, and the Queen only exercises her ownership rights on some stretches of the Thames and its tributaries.