Flying High
Special programme looking at the techniques used in the production of Earthflight, including using microlights and gliders to become part of the flock.
To fly like a bird, Earthflight not only captured remarkable images of wild flocks but also relied on some extraordinary relationships between people and birds. Filmed over four years, in six continents and more than 40 countries, the Earthflight team used many extraordinary techniques.
For some of the unique flying shots, members of the team became part of the flock. The birds followed wherever they went - even in a microlight over Edinburgh and London. In Africa, paragliders floated alongside wild vultures, while a model vulture carried a camera inside the flock. In South America, wild-living macaws, that were rescued as babies, still come back to visit their 'foster mother' as he travels along a jungle river.
In Africa, a radio-controlled 'drone' silently infiltrates masses of pink flamingos without disturbing a feather, and microlights and helicopters capture the dramatic moment white storks arrive over Istanbul. A tame vulture carries a camera across the African bush and recreates the behaviour of his wild relatives.
Similarly, in the USA, a flock of hand-reared snow geese follow the migration route of wild flocks and take in the sights and sounds of New York - managing to get lost in Brooklyn.
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Clips
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Teaching and bonding with goslings (Narrated by David Tennant)
Duration: 01:43
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Vulture's eye view test flight (Narrated by David Tennant)
Duration: 01:07
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Vulturecam flies among the vultures (Narrated by David Tennant)
Duration: 02:14
Credits
Role | Contributor |
---|---|
Narrator | David Tennant |
Series Producer | John Downer |
Broadcasts
- Sun 29 Jan 2012 16:00Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One except Scotland
- Sun 5 Feb 2012 15:55Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two Scotland
- Sun 19 Feb 2012 17:00Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ HD
- New Year's Day 2013 19:00Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ HD
- Sun 4 Aug 2013 14:55
- Fri 3 Jan 2014 10:00
- Sat 13 Jun 2015 09:30
- Tue 22 Nov 2016 16:15
- Fri 29 Sep 2017 16:15Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two except Wales
- Sat 30 Sep 2017 13:00Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two Wales