Swan numbers down due to shootings, says Queen's swan marker

Annual swan upping census on the Thames finds numbers down and marker blames rise in air rifle attacks and random shootings by vandals

Air rifle attacks and random shootings by vandals have been blamed for a sharp drop in the number of swans recorded during the annual swan upping census on the Thames.

The rise in shootings was said to be the most serious factor causing swan numbers to drop by a third on last year, according to the Queen's swan marker, David Barber.