Abbotsbury Swannery near Weymouth in Dorset is unique in being the only managed nesting colony of Mute Swans in the world. There are usually around 150 nesting pairs with a total count of around 600, although the peak recorded count was 900 birds. This is an unusual place as nesting swans are usually fiercly territorial and would not normally allow other swans or humans to get close to their nests. In July when the birds are flightless they are herded into pens and checked, weighed and ringed.
The earliest record of the swannery was as part of a monastic institution in 1393. Upon the dissolution of the monasteries in 1539, the swannery was purchased by the Strangeways family and it has remained in the family until this time.
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