In time-honored tradition it's time for Hamburg's swans to head to their winter quarters.

Under the watchful eye of Olaf Niess, the city's swan-representative, the 120 birds take their journey by boat to Muehlenteich pond in the Eppendorf district of Hamburg.

After being gently loaded aboard, and with only a little resistance, the swanboat takes its feathered cargo to their new home.

City officials keep the winter pond from freezing over just for the swans and make sure they have enough to eat

According to tradition, Hamburg's city council put swans under special protection in 1664. Ever since, it has been forbidden to "insult, hurt or kill" the birds.

And why does the swan representative go to all this trouble?

Legend has it that as long as the proud Alster swan swims in Hamburg the city-state will be free and prosperous.

As for Olaf Niess he is the latest in a long line of swan representatives charged with looking after the birds since 1818.