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Earthflight took us
on an extraordinary journey


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into the birds' world.


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It took four years to make,


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filmed over 100 species,


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and covered 40 different countries
in six continents.


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To capture a bird's-eye view,


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the team employed the latest
state-of-the-art techniques.


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On the way, they witnessed behaviour
that had never been seen before...


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..and looked anew at some of the
greatest wildlife events on earth.


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But at its heart,
the series depended


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on some extraordinary relationships
between people and birds.


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With their help,
we flew on wings across the world.


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It's Spring,
and here in Central France


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an extraordinary story
is about to unfold.


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Avid bird-enthusiast
Christian Moullec


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is about to raise
his very own flock of geese.


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THEY SPEAK FRENCH


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Ga-ga-ga-ga.


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Ga-ga-ga-ga-ga-ga-ga.


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For the first two years
of their life,


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these chicks will think of him
as mother.


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They'll trust and follow him
above all others.


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It's a process known as imprinting,


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and it's something that many birds
do from the moment they're born.


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A few hours later,
the hatchlings are already following


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their oversized mother goose
wherever he goes.


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Allez, allez, allez.


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HORN HONKING


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Ga-ga-ga-ga.


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Ga-ga-ga-ga-ga.


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Christian's ultimate goal
is to film these chicks


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retracing the great journeys
of wild birds from his microlight.


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It's a huge commitment
that will continue
long after the filming is over.


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And it will take months
of tender care and devotion


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before he and his new bird family
take to the air.


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But Christian is just
one of countless professionals


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and cameramen who devoted their
skills to the Earthflight series.


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In the heart of the Amazon,
the series enlisted the help


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of another remarkable group
of people who have


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a similar relationship with macaws.


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They have the power to call
the birds out of the wild.


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Felix and Bon Bon are two rangers
in a reserve in deepest Peru.


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WHISTLING


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Nearly a year ago,
as part of a conservation programme,


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they hand-reared
a group of scarlet macaws.


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But they've long
since been released into the wild...


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Will they still come
to Bon Bon's call?


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WHISTLING


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There's a lot invested in the plan -


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a special microlight
has been shipped from France


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to film the birds from the air.


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While the ground crew
tries to call the birds down,


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the microlight films
elsewhere along the river.


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Suddenly, it spots four macaws
heading over the treetops.


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The birds are flying
purposefully along the river


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as if they have
a destination in mind.


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Then many more join the party.


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From the air, it's clear that
they are heading towards trees


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that have just come into fruit.


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The news is passed on
to the local team,


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who head off to where
the birds are gathering.


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WHISTLING


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The hand-reared birds might
be somewhere in the flock,


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but no matter how hard
Bon Bon and Felix try,


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none of the birds show
any interest in coming down.


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WHISTLING


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The plan is for the birds
to fly alongside the boat,


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but this is starting
to look like a distant dream.


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Back in France, Christian
is spending all his time
with his young goslings.


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It's important that
they trust him completely.


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Pet dog Loovy is introduced
to these new family members.


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He's seen it all before and will
make sure they never come to harm.


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While Christian is raising
a flock of geese,


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his colleague, Cedric,
is mum to some baby cranes.


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GENTLE BURRING


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Just like any devoted mother,
he coos to them


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and teaches them what is food.


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Allez, allez, allez, allez...


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And at the farm pond,
Christian's daughter, Lisa,


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has her hands full
with yet more new babies.


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The parasol isn't just for shade -


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it's a portable substitute
for a microlight wing.


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Lisa wants them to learn
they are safe in its shadow.


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But to fully prepare them
for flying with a microlight,


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something has to shatter
the rural peace.


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LOUD ENGINE


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A chainsaw mimics the noise
of the microlight's engine.


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But, with Lisa on hand,


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the chicks soon learn the sound
is nothing to be afraid of.


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HORN HONKS AS ENGINE REVS


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Allez, allez, allez, allez.


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Meanwhile, Christian
introduces another batch of chicks
to the real microlight,


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or rather a parasol attached
to the real microlight.


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For the goslings,
the engine's quite a surprise,


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but the reassuring
figure of Christian confirms


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there is nothing to be scared of.


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Their next task is
to follow the microlight


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with Christian
offering encouragement.


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HORN HONKING OVER ENGINE


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These are just baby steps -


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they have many challenges ahead
before their mission
is accomplished.


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But Christian isn't alone
in hand-rearing geese.


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Along the Mississippi
in North America,


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a flock of snow geese are at
a later stage of training.


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Cameraman Neil Rettig
is their foster mother.


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Like Christian's birds,


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they follow Neil and his wife,
Laura, wherever they go,


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but this is the first time
they have been flown.


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They will help retrace
the flight paths of wild birds


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that Neil has filmed across America.


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The geese are so keen
to be with Neil and his team


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they're flying too close
for filming -


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or at least too close to film
without the boat being in shot.


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But these training sessions
help the birds
develop their flight muscles -


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vital for the ambitious plans
that lie ahead.


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As well as learning to make
long, sustained flights,


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they must also perfect
formation flying.


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HORNS HONKING


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A Mississippi steamer
is a handy prop to practise on.


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The aim is to get the birds,
steamboat and camera boat
to line up perfectly -


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but the birds are
all over the place.


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"OK, yeah, go. I would go now."


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They try one last time.


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With a bit of encouragement,


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the geese start to line up
alongside the boat.


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They just have to stay like that
for a little bit longer....


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And there it is -
perfect formation flying.


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Well done, guys. Good, guys.


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It has taken seven months
to get the geese to this point,


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but Neil has far more ambitious
plans for his foster children.


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Next stop is New York City.


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Back in Peru, Bon Bon and Felix


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are having no success
luring the macaws down to the boat.


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With so much fruit around,
the birds just aren't hungry.


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WHISTLING


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But then, suddenly,
two birds veer away from the flock,


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fluttering down to the boat.


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It seems the bond's still there.


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Felix can still offer something
they can't get in the wild -


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a good scratch.


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He reaches the parts
that beaks fail to reach.


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Even after six months
living with wild flocks


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the birds won't miss
this chance of a tickle.


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But will these be the only macaws
to respond to the call?


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WHISTLING


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It seems someone else
remembers his old friends.


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Then another.


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All four share some tidbits
for old time's sake.


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The birds may be onboard,
but for the plan to work


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Bon Bon must persuade them
to fly alongside the boat.


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Cameraman Richard Cook
is ready and waiting.


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The macaws fly with the boat
exactly as planned.


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Richard finally gets his chance
to capture some arresting images.


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Got some nice stuff.


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There's a lovely shot,


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the macaw coming up the side
of the boat here,


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and on this side,
so we're looking down on her.


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Worked quite well.


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The visit provides just a few
magical seconds of footage.


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It took four weeks in total


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to capture all the close flying
shots seen in the film.


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New York City,


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and, for the snow geese,
their big day has finally arrived.


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The plan is to fly past
the famous Manhattan skyline


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retracing the flight path taken
by thousands of wild snow geese.


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For adoptive parents Neil and Laura
it's a big moment.


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The birds have never been flown
this far from home.


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The geese are now
seasoned aeronauts,


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so they don't need much
encouragement to get airborne.


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By now the birds have
formation flying down to a fine art.


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Even the New York coastguard


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comes to investigate
the astonishing sight.


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Come on, guys!


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Come on, babies!


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HORN HONKING


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Success.


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But there is an even more ambitious
plan for one of the birds.


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Amazing.


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He has been trained
to carry a tiny HD camera.


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He joins the rest of the flock


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and captures a viewpoint
that has never been seen before.


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He has such control
he lands back on the boat


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as if it was the most natural
thing in the world.


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The rest of the flock
keep in formation


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but, as their confidence grows,
their natural desire to explore
kicks in.


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HORN HONKING


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They're heading off into town.


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Can you still see them?


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The only contact Neil and Laura have
is a signal from a transmitter


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attached to one of the birds.


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I think they're still flying. OK.


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Wild birds make similar exploratory
flights away from their parents,


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but human parents are at
a distinct disadvantage -


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they can't fly after them.


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00:18:21,840 --> 00:18:26,000
Neil and Laura now have a real
challenge on their hands.


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00:18:31,200 --> 00:18:35,520
Back in France, Christian's
geese are now three weeks old.


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Allez, allez, allez!


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00:18:39,560 --> 00:18:41,920
Ga-ga-ga-ga-ga-ga...


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00:18:45,920 --> 00:18:49,880
It's time for Christian to teach
the birds some of the skills


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00:18:49,880 --> 00:18:53,040
a mother goose passes
on to her own offspring.


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00:18:56,000 --> 00:18:59,360
First, he must make them
feel comfortable


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00:18:59,360 --> 00:19:02,240
in the largest
expanse of water they've ever seen.


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00:19:08,800 --> 00:19:12,160
But they must also learn
to be aware of danger.


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00:19:12,160 --> 00:19:14,080
Christian keeps looking up,


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00:19:14,080 --> 00:19:16,800
teaching the birds to
watch for predators overhead.


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00:19:16,800 --> 00:19:19,720
Allez...allez...


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00:19:19,720 --> 00:19:24,360
He also shows them that they must
kick hard to strengthen their legs.


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00:19:43,160 --> 00:19:46,760
Even this improvised
water pistol isn't for fun -


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00:19:46,760 --> 00:19:50,240
wetting the birds encourages
them to preen and produce oil


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00:19:50,240 --> 00:19:52,280
to waterproof their plumage.


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00:19:55,120 --> 00:19:56,840
Allez, allez, allez...


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00:19:57,960 --> 00:20:00,360
These early bonding sessions
are vital


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00:20:00,360 --> 00:20:04,680
if the birds are to grow up with
all the natural skills they need.


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00:20:07,120 --> 00:20:11,240
Back in New York, the signal
from the goose's transmitter


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00:20:11,240 --> 00:20:13,960
has taken Neil to
the streets of Brooklyn.


216
00:20:17,120 --> 00:20:20,120
But the buildings are confusing
and bouncing the signals.


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00:20:20,120 --> 00:20:23,440
It's turning into a real
wild goose chase.


218
00:20:23,440 --> 00:20:25,720
Anything? Nothing.


219
00:20:28,560 --> 00:20:30,320
Yeah, go, go!


220
00:20:30,320 --> 00:20:31,760
You've got a signal? Yeah.


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00:20:31,760 --> 00:20:34,440
But suddenly, a breakthrough.


222
00:20:36,800 --> 00:20:38,960
OK, let me out right here.


223
00:20:38,960 --> 00:20:41,720
Go straight ahead
and there's a park.


224
00:20:41,720 --> 00:20:43,640
Let me come with you, Neil.


225
00:20:47,280 --> 00:20:49,560
They shouldn't be too far away.


226
00:20:51,280 --> 00:20:54,640
I think it's unbelievable,
they might be up here in this park.


227
00:21:00,640 --> 00:21:03,800
Let's just pray that the
transmitter hasn't been taken. Yeah.


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00:21:03,800 --> 00:21:07,040
I think they're in this park
up here. OK.


229
00:21:07,040 --> 00:21:09,360
We're going to get caught
jaywalking.


230
00:21:22,240 --> 00:21:25,600
I see them. Where?
I see them, straight ahead. Really?


231
00:21:25,600 --> 00:21:27,560
What are you doing here?


232
00:21:27,560 --> 00:21:29,200
Hey, guys.


233
00:21:29,200 --> 00:21:30,640
Wee-wee-wee-wee.


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00:21:30,640 --> 00:21:31,960
Good boy!


235
00:21:33,160 --> 00:21:36,160
Just like wild birds,
they simply headed


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for the best grazing
they could find.


237
00:21:39,560 --> 00:21:41,200
Good boy.


238
00:21:42,640 --> 00:21:45,560
Now Neil just has to wait
for backup to arrive.


239
00:21:45,560 --> 00:21:47,840
We got them, we got them.


240
00:21:47,840 --> 00:21:51,320
Obviously we don't have them, but
we're with them in a little park.


241
00:21:51,320 --> 00:21:52,840
Yeah, we've got them.


242
00:21:52,840 --> 00:21:55,440
They're in that same park
we saw from the road.


243
00:21:58,240 --> 00:22:00,800
So we need to regroup
and get the kennels...


244
00:22:00,800 --> 00:22:05,360
Although many birds went AWOL
over the course of the series,


245
00:22:05,360 --> 00:22:08,440
all were ultimately
reunited with their owners.


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00:22:09,800 --> 00:22:12,760
But knowing this
doesn't make it any easier


247
00:22:12,760 --> 00:22:16,800
when you lose the birds
you've spent so long nurturing.


248
00:22:22,160 --> 00:22:25,360
It's a relief for Neil and Laura -


249
00:22:25,360 --> 00:22:29,600
they are as attached to the geese
as the geese are to them.


250
00:22:30,680 --> 00:22:34,440
Well done. Oh, my gosh!
Thank goodness.


251
00:22:37,480 --> 00:22:40,280
We are going to
run out of miracles!


252
00:22:43,080 --> 00:22:48,320
To fly amongst birds, Earthflight
used a huge variety of techniques.


253
00:22:57,000 --> 00:23:01,080
In South Africa, a paraglider
soars among flocks of wild vultures.


254
00:23:10,640 --> 00:23:14,280
He uses the same updrafts
and thermals as the birds,


255
00:23:14,280 --> 00:23:17,520
making it the perfect way
to film in their midst.


256
00:23:25,200 --> 00:23:28,120
The paragliders are piloted
by biologists,


257
00:23:28,120 --> 00:23:30,400
who use them as part of their work.


258
00:23:33,480 --> 00:23:36,840
It was this kind of cooperation
with experts in the field


259
00:23:36,840 --> 00:23:40,000
that made
much of the filming possible.


260
00:23:49,480 --> 00:23:53,920
But there is yet another way
to get even closer to vultures.


261
00:23:56,480 --> 00:23:59,400
This is the latest spy in the flock.


262
00:24:01,720 --> 00:24:05,400
Model maker Malcolm Beard
spent hundreds of hours


263
00:24:05,400 --> 00:24:10,760
designing and building this perfect
full-scale replica of a vulture.


264
00:24:10,760 --> 00:24:15,160
Vulturecam even has a moving tail,
just like the real thing.


265
00:24:16,600 --> 00:24:19,840
It also carries
a pan and tilt camera,


266
00:24:19,840 --> 00:24:22,360
allowing 360 degree filming.


267
00:24:33,680 --> 00:24:37,960
Fortunately, the vultures are
fascinated by this new, strange bird


268
00:24:37,960 --> 00:24:40,840
that can soar with them
in the thermals.


269
00:24:43,320 --> 00:24:45,560
The pictures are sent
back to ground,


270
00:24:45,560 --> 00:24:49,280
allowing producer Rob Pilley
to control and adjust the camera.


271
00:25:01,760 --> 00:25:05,120
But, despite the success,
the team fear they might never


272
00:25:05,120 --> 00:25:08,800
get their radio-controlled vulture
back in one piece.


273
00:25:14,480 --> 00:25:20,240
Unlike a real vulture, Vulturecam
needs a smooth path to land on.


274
00:25:22,600 --> 00:25:26,440
And it doesn't get rougher
than a rocky mountain top.


275
00:25:30,120 --> 00:25:34,400
To make matters worse, the cliff
face creates strong updrafts.


276
00:25:37,320 --> 00:25:39,880
But, with the camera's
memory card full,


277
00:25:39,880 --> 00:25:42,120
they can't put off landing
any longer.


278
00:25:52,440 --> 00:25:54,520
It could have been far worse.


279
00:25:55,920 --> 00:25:58,280
That's what you call nose-dive, jeez.


280
00:25:58,280 --> 00:26:00,840
Look, you've actually
scratched the granite!


281
00:26:00,840 --> 00:26:04,280
But Earthflight needed to get even
deeper into the vultures' world.


282
00:26:08,080 --> 00:26:10,240
This is a world first -


283
00:26:10,240 --> 00:26:14,200
a camera-carrying vulture
trained to fly from a microlight.


284
00:26:17,800 --> 00:26:21,920
Vultures usually need perfect
weather conditions to get airborne,


285
00:26:21,920 --> 00:26:25,960
but this pampered bird can let
an aircraft do the hard work...


286
00:26:27,520 --> 00:26:31,880
..taking off when she reaches
the correct altitude.


287
00:26:52,160 --> 00:26:56,320
Her normal routine is at
this airfield not far from Geneva,


288
00:26:56,320 --> 00:27:00,640
but it's time for her to attempt
something far more ambitious.


289
00:27:02,720 --> 00:27:06,640
Her next flight will be in amongst
her wild cousins in Africa.


290
00:27:11,240 --> 00:27:13,960
HORN HONKING


291
00:27:13,960 --> 00:27:16,920
Back in France,
the young geese are preparing


292
00:27:16,920 --> 00:27:18,520
for their first flight.


293
00:27:18,520 --> 00:27:21,360
They are happily
following the microlight,


294
00:27:21,360 --> 00:27:23,000
but will they fly with it?


295
00:27:27,600 --> 00:27:31,720
On a nearby airfield,
the moment of truth finally arrives.


296
00:27:47,560 --> 00:27:49,760
The birds are certainly
enthusiastic,


297
00:27:49,760 --> 00:27:54,240
but they aren't sure what's expected
and most fall at the first hurdle.


298
00:27:54,240 --> 00:27:56,760
Only two birds have got the idea.


299
00:28:01,400 --> 00:28:04,520
But even this limited success
is short-lived.


300
00:28:07,440 --> 00:28:10,880
The microlight lands
without its out-riders.


301
00:28:17,040 --> 00:28:20,080
These first flights
are always the most stressful.


302
00:28:21,520 --> 00:28:26,600
Then, relief -
the flock is reunited.


303
00:28:32,960 --> 00:28:36,760
Christian knows he must try again
as quickly as possible.


304
00:28:37,840 --> 00:28:41,880
This time, the two leading birds
encourage the others into the air.


305
00:28:48,600 --> 00:28:52,120
But there's always one
that doesn't quite get it.


306
00:28:57,680 --> 00:29:00,680
Up above,
things are starting to gel.


307
00:29:04,160 --> 00:29:07,120
They could hardly fly any closer.


308
00:29:13,760 --> 00:29:17,520
This is what six months
of training has been about -


309
00:29:17,520 --> 00:29:20,320
flying and filming
as part of the flock.


310
00:29:27,040 --> 00:29:31,720
A perfect test flight, but soon
the real challenges will begin -


311
00:29:31,720 --> 00:29:35,520
flying the route
of their wild counterparts.


312
00:29:43,480 --> 00:29:45,560
As the vulture crew
assemble in Kenya,


313
00:29:45,560 --> 00:29:49,400
the camera-bird
takes it all in her stride.


314
00:29:49,400 --> 00:29:54,480
Like a pet dog she follows her
owner, Yohann, wherever he goes.


315
00:30:13,160 --> 00:30:18,160
The eventual aim is to fly high
over many other African locations.


316
00:30:23,560 --> 00:30:28,080
It may be a different plane,
but the vulture knows the routine.


317
00:30:29,840 --> 00:30:34,440
She always sets off
from around 1,500 feet up.


318
00:30:37,600 --> 00:30:39,200
For her safety,


319
00:30:39,200 --> 00:30:43,360
the engines of the plane are stopped
just before she flies.


320
00:30:52,200 --> 00:30:55,520
This is her first taste
of African skies,


321
00:30:55,520 --> 00:30:57,840
and she's clearly enjoying the view.


322
00:31:07,760 --> 00:31:12,240
The onboard camera reveals
the bird is turning in a thermal,


323
00:31:12,240 --> 00:31:14,000
soaring upwards.


324
00:31:19,320 --> 00:31:22,720
It's an exhilarating moment
for the vulture team.


325
00:31:24,840 --> 00:31:29,200
But the thermals are far stronger
here than in Europe.


326
00:31:29,200 --> 00:31:31,240
Time to call her back down.


327
00:31:35,240 --> 00:31:38,280
But the strong winds are taking
the vulture away -


328
00:31:38,280 --> 00:31:41,520
she's heading to the peak
of a very high hill.


329
00:32:22,120 --> 00:32:25,080
The launch plane touches down
to join in the search.


330
00:32:25,080 --> 00:32:29,200
SPEAKS INTO THE RADIO IN FRENCH


331
00:32:31,240 --> 00:32:35,160
Johan and team are going to need
all the help they can get


332
00:32:35,160 --> 00:32:37,200
to find their missing bird.


333
00:32:42,880 --> 00:32:45,200
Across the world,
in the wilds of Alaska,


334
00:32:45,200 --> 00:32:48,280
another contingent of
the Earthflight team


335
00:32:48,280 --> 00:32:50,840
are going on a bear hunt.


336
00:32:54,880 --> 00:32:58,400
Leading the group is
bear expert Derek Stonorov,


337
00:32:58,400 --> 00:33:03,320
a man who knows everything
there is about working
in grizzly bear country.


338
00:33:04,360 --> 00:33:08,360
Following behind is
field producer Matt Gordon.


339
00:33:08,360 --> 00:33:12,560
They are here to film eagles
stealing fish from the bears,


340
00:33:12,560 --> 00:33:15,400
but right now it's the bears
that are focusing the mind.


341
00:33:15,400 --> 00:33:19,480
Hey, bear. Hey, bear.


342
00:33:19,480 --> 00:33:21,200
CLAPPING


343
00:33:21,200 --> 00:33:23,200
Hey, bear, hey, bear...


344
00:33:23,200 --> 00:33:27,200
For safety, the drill is
to follow the trails made by bears,


345
00:33:27,200 --> 00:33:32,280
and make a lot of noise so you don't
surprise any hiding in the bushes.


346
00:33:32,280 --> 00:33:37,400
Grizzly bears are the most
aggressive and dangerous animals
in North America.


347
00:33:37,400 --> 00:33:39,280
No-one can take any chances.


348
00:33:41,240 --> 00:33:44,640
But the crew knows that to film
the bears' interactions with eagles


349
00:33:44,640 --> 00:33:47,840
they will have to get
closer than usual.


350
00:33:51,040 --> 00:33:53,440
The bears are gathering
for a salmon run.


351
00:33:53,440 --> 00:33:57,320
But they're still waiting
for all of the fish to arrive.


352
00:33:58,920 --> 00:34:03,640
The bears turn up early, anxious to
bag the best fishing spots.


353
00:34:03,640 --> 00:34:06,600
It's a chance for the bears
to get used to people.


354
00:34:11,360 --> 00:34:13,760
And for the people
to get used to the bears.


355
00:34:17,920 --> 00:34:19,640
Pretty cool, man.


356
00:34:21,640 --> 00:34:27,240
As a zoologist, Matt is more
aware of the dangers than anyone.


357
00:34:27,240 --> 00:34:30,400
When working close to bears,
it's important to understand


358
00:34:30,400 --> 00:34:34,920
their body language and act in
a calm and non-threatening manner.


359
00:34:46,320 --> 00:34:48,000
That was close!


360
00:34:50,520 --> 00:34:53,680
The plan is to film
from a large crane,


361
00:34:53,680 --> 00:34:56,320
so the bears need to become
used to its movements,


362
00:34:56,320 --> 00:35:00,240
as well as the presence of the team.


363
00:35:00,240 --> 00:35:06,200
It's all going to plan, but not
a single eagle has been seen,


364
00:35:06,200 --> 00:35:09,520
and without them there is no story.


365
00:35:09,520 --> 00:35:11,640
The bears are poised and ready,


366
00:35:11,640 --> 00:35:15,200
and the salmon are gathering
at the mouth of the river.


367
00:35:20,440 --> 00:35:24,240
Then, as if on cue,
the first eagle arrives.


368
00:35:25,600 --> 00:35:27,840
That's one eagle.


369
00:35:27,840 --> 00:35:30,000
There is an eagle, see it?


370
00:35:30,000 --> 00:35:31,600
Then another.


371
00:35:36,360 --> 00:35:39,720
As so often occurs,
the birds know exactly


372
00:35:39,720 --> 00:35:43,280
when nature's greatest events
are set to happen.


373
00:35:44,560 --> 00:35:48,120
It's action stations -
the salmon run has started.


374
00:35:50,880 --> 00:35:54,160
The team have to work quickly,
but, thankfully,


375
00:35:54,160 --> 00:35:58,120
the bears are more interested
in the salmon than the crew.


376
00:36:08,480 --> 00:36:10,880
And the eagles do exactly
what was expected,


377
00:36:10,880 --> 00:36:15,480
stealing great hunks of fat salmon
from under the noses of the bears.


378
00:36:33,840 --> 00:36:38,920
Back in Africa, the lost vulture
is concerning the ground crew.


379
00:36:42,200 --> 00:36:46,320
A spotter plane goes up to see
if it can locate where she's landed.


380
00:36:51,960 --> 00:36:55,160
The onboard pictures show that she
is safe and well...


381
00:36:57,280 --> 00:36:59,000
..but where?


382
00:37:01,600 --> 00:37:04,480
There is no shortage
of willing helpers.


383
00:37:04,480 --> 00:37:06,640
RADIO: 'I try to see it.'


384
00:37:06,640 --> 00:37:11,000
'I think it's the other guys
have gone off down and up again,


385
00:37:11,000 --> 00:37:13,240
'so I'll get them to stop...'


386
00:37:13,240 --> 00:37:16,320
The ground crew head
to the distant hills.


387
00:37:16,320 --> 00:37:19,520
No, we can't see anything,
because there are many trees


388
00:37:19,520 --> 00:37:23,720
and she lands somewhere up there
but now we have to find her.


389
00:37:23,720 --> 00:37:29,400
It is difficult because there is
no tracks to find her.


390
00:37:29,400 --> 00:37:32,600
Look at the plane.


391
00:37:32,600 --> 00:37:36,480
You see? No, no, no.


392
00:37:43,640 --> 00:37:46,680
The plane's right above us
so hopefully it's not too far.


393
00:37:46,680 --> 00:37:49,200
Thank you, Willie.


394
00:38:00,320 --> 00:38:02,640
The plane circles the spot.


395
00:38:05,120 --> 00:38:09,200
She's just there,
on the top of a mountain,
now we have to climb.


396
00:38:09,200 --> 00:38:11,240
But it's not going to be easy.


397
00:38:12,920 --> 00:38:17,080
All onboard cameras are designed
so the bird can remove them,


398
00:38:17,080 --> 00:38:19,200
but it's clear
from the relayed signal


399
00:38:19,200 --> 00:38:22,000
that the vulture
hasn't a care in the world.


400
00:38:24,680 --> 00:38:28,720
The same can't be said
for Yohann and the team.


401
00:38:55,600 --> 00:38:58,360
She hears the approaching voices.


402
00:39:05,360 --> 00:39:09,360
Some sharp-eyed local children
are first at the scene.


403
00:39:14,000 --> 00:39:15,640
Crazy bird!


404
00:39:20,200 --> 00:39:24,480
But it's Yohann that the vulture
has been waiting for.


405
00:39:24,480 --> 00:39:26,800
Great.


406
00:39:26,800 --> 00:39:30,120
Well done. Well done.


407
00:39:30,120 --> 00:39:31,560
Amazing.


408
00:39:33,040 --> 00:39:38,520
A moment for the whole team to
reflect on the hard-earned success.


409
00:39:38,520 --> 00:39:40,960
But this was just the beginning.


410
00:39:40,960 --> 00:39:43,880
The vulture captured
a bird's-eye view


411
00:39:43,880 --> 00:39:47,360
in many different
locations after this.


412
00:39:47,360 --> 00:39:51,600
Can't believe how high
that bird is.
She's very stable. Incredibly.


413
00:39:51,600 --> 00:39:53,240
Oh, it's amazing.


414
00:39:53,240 --> 00:39:55,400
Now you really are
flying with the birds.


415
00:39:55,400 --> 00:39:59,560
You're really up in the sky with it,
thermalling like a vulture does.


416
00:39:59,560 --> 00:40:02,640
She really is behaving
like a wild vulture.


417
00:40:02,640 --> 00:40:06,960
Good climb. Well done, you.
That's awesome.


418
00:40:08,040 --> 00:40:10,960
Back in Europe, Christian's team
have set their sights


419
00:40:10,960 --> 00:40:12,960
on the next big challenge -


420
00:40:12,960 --> 00:40:14,840
a flight over Edinburgh
in Scotland,


421
00:40:14,840 --> 00:40:18,640
following the tracks of thousands
of migrating barnacle geese.


422
00:40:23,800 --> 00:40:27,160
It's time to see whether
all the hard work will pay off.


423
00:40:28,760 --> 00:40:30,240
But it's not going to be easy -


424
00:40:30,240 --> 00:40:33,040
permissions have been difficult
to obtain,


425
00:40:33,040 --> 00:40:36,360
and they have been given a narrow
window of only an hour


426
00:40:36,360 --> 00:40:37,600
to get the shot.


427
00:40:43,000 --> 00:40:45,320
All other air traffic


428
00:40:45,320 --> 00:40:49,880
has had to be diverted
around Edinburgh for the flight.


429
00:40:49,880 --> 00:40:52,440
The birds seem eager
to stretch their wings.


430
00:40:59,480 --> 00:41:01,840
Air traffic control give the signal,


431
00:41:01,840 --> 00:41:04,520
and the geese emerge
with a spring in their step.


432
00:41:26,000 --> 00:41:29,800
It's a good start -
all the training is paying off.


433
00:41:29,800 --> 00:41:33,160
But their designated take-off site
was five miles from the city.


434
00:41:45,920 --> 00:41:48,640
To succeed, the birds need to be
fit enough


435
00:41:48,640 --> 00:41:50,920
to keep up with
the microlight all the way.


436
00:42:01,120 --> 00:42:03,480
The birds must maintain
a tight formation -


437
00:42:03,480 --> 00:42:06,960
if any get lost, the shoot
will have to be abandoned.


438
00:42:20,120 --> 00:42:24,400
10 minutes of flying takes them
over Arthur's seat -


439
00:42:24,400 --> 00:42:26,400
the famous hill overlooking
the city.


440
00:42:26,400 --> 00:42:29,840
They now power onwards
towards the heart of Edinburgh.


441
00:42:32,040 --> 00:42:36,080
In case of engine failure, Christian
must maintain good altitude -


442
00:42:36,080 --> 00:42:38,520
he must always be able
to glide to safety.


443
00:42:45,880 --> 00:42:48,840
The geese perform to perfection -


444
00:42:48,840 --> 00:42:52,520
by now, flying with a microlight
comes naturally to them.


445
00:42:54,600 --> 00:42:58,240
They even take on the classic
formation of a migrating flock,


446
00:42:58,240 --> 00:42:59,800
with Christian at the helm.


447
00:42:59,800 --> 00:43:02,960
Just like wild geese,
their mother shows them the way.


448
00:43:17,080 --> 00:43:19,800
Finally, they've got
what they came for -


449
00:43:19,800 --> 00:43:24,280
the view that wild flocks see
as they fly over Scotland's capital.


450
00:43:40,480 --> 00:43:42,360
It's a success,


451
00:43:42,360 --> 00:43:45,680
but Christian has even greater
ambitions for his birds.


452
00:43:55,280 --> 00:43:57,800
Back in Africa,
at Kenya's Lake Bogoria,


453
00:44:01,280 --> 00:44:04,200
flamingos are the next
challenge for the Earthflight team.


454
00:44:04,200 --> 00:44:07,840
Wild flamingos are one of the most
nervous birds in the world.


455
00:44:11,200 --> 00:44:15,000
To film among the masses
requires a variety of spycams.


456
00:44:16,920 --> 00:44:21,320
Producer Philip Dalton
buries a remote camera


457
00:44:21,320 --> 00:44:24,280
in the steaming hot mud
at a favourite drinking spot.


458
00:44:27,040 --> 00:44:29,800
It captures intimate
images like these.


459
00:44:41,760 --> 00:44:43,800
He also deploys another camera,


460
00:44:43,800 --> 00:44:46,800
disguised by its own
mini-flock of flamingos.


461
00:45:00,520 --> 00:45:01,800
But to capture shots


462
00:45:01,800 --> 00:45:06,400
of these notoriously skittish birds
from the air needs stealth tactics.


463
00:45:12,400 --> 00:45:15,880
This futuristic drone
is the team's secret weapon.


464
00:45:22,120 --> 00:45:25,880
Its tiny rotor blades
allow an almost silent approach,


465
00:45:25,880 --> 00:45:29,160
and its alien shape is nothing
like any predator they've seen.


466
00:45:36,520 --> 00:45:40,440
The drone hardly ruffles
a feather as it captures a view


467
00:45:40,440 --> 00:45:43,840
of the greatest gathering
of flamingos seen for 20 years.


468
00:46:02,520 --> 00:46:06,400
Then, at the flick of a switch,
it returns to base.


469
00:46:16,120 --> 00:46:18,880
But this was just part of a much
bigger sequence


470
00:46:18,880 --> 00:46:20,480
shot at Lake Bogoria -


471
00:46:20,480 --> 00:46:24,240
one that took
a hundred filming days to complete.


472
00:46:29,080 --> 00:46:32,400
The beautiful dance
of the flamingos


473
00:46:32,400 --> 00:46:34,800
only happens
when conditions are perfect.


474
00:47:01,080 --> 00:47:04,480
To capture extraordinary behaviour
always takes time.


475
00:47:04,480 --> 00:47:08,000
In Bogoria,
baboons have turned killers.


476
00:47:42,280 --> 00:47:45,880
Behaviour like this takes
countless days to capture.


477
00:47:49,520 --> 00:47:53,440
Patience is also of the essence
when dealing with red tape.


478
00:47:54,840 --> 00:47:58,480
London is the most overcrowded
airspace in the world,


479
00:47:58,480 --> 00:48:01,680
and for two years, the production
team sought permission


480
00:48:01,680 --> 00:48:05,040
for Christian's birds
to fly over it.


481
00:48:05,040 --> 00:48:08,360
It finally came in the last
summer of filming.


482
00:48:08,360 --> 00:48:11,040
The venue is London City Airport.


483
00:48:12,040 --> 00:48:13,160
But there's a catch -


484
00:48:13,160 --> 00:48:16,240
the birds can only fly
if they become part of the airshow


485
00:48:16,240 --> 00:48:18,520
that is closing the airport
for the day.


486
00:48:23,960 --> 00:48:28,720
Like the other participants,
the birds must perform on cue.


487
00:48:28,720 --> 00:48:32,560
For a display pilot
this goes with the territory,


488
00:48:32,560 --> 00:48:36,040
but Christian's birds
need perfect wind conditions -


489
00:48:36,040 --> 00:48:37,720
it's not going to be easy.


490
00:48:38,920 --> 00:48:41,920
The microlight is assembled
in double-quick time,


491
00:48:41,920 --> 00:48:44,680
while the display goes on
around them.


492
00:48:45,840 --> 00:48:47,880
THEY SPEAK FRENCH


493
00:49:01,400 --> 00:49:02,760
HORN HONKS


494
00:49:05,360 --> 00:49:08,000
But the team have some concerns -


495
00:49:08,000 --> 00:49:10,640
the unfamiliar sights and sounds
of the stunt planes


496
00:49:10,640 --> 00:49:12,560
may disturb the birds.


497
00:49:12,560 --> 00:49:18,440
With the buildings... There is
turbulence, over there... OK.


498
00:49:18,440 --> 00:49:21,760
I will try to climb.


499
00:49:24,000 --> 00:49:26,800
And Christian has other worries.


500
00:49:26,800 --> 00:49:29,720
Geese moult their feathers
at this time of year,


501
00:49:29,720 --> 00:49:32,960
so he thinks only a few of them
are able to fly strongly enough


502
00:49:32,960 --> 00:49:36,240
in these weather conditions,
and their flying speed is limited.


503
00:49:36,240 --> 00:49:37,800
The birds don't want to climb.


504
00:49:37,800 --> 00:49:40,440
He is particularly worried
by turbulence from hot air


505
00:49:40,440 --> 00:49:43,080
rising from the sun-baked runway.


506
00:49:43,080 --> 00:49:45,080
So, to make it easier for them,


507
00:49:45,080 --> 00:49:48,960
Christian is now using a slower-
flying, single-seat microlight.


508
00:49:52,120 --> 00:49:54,800
Everyone's aware that if the geese
don't fly on cue,


509
00:49:54,800 --> 00:49:56,800
there will be no second chance.


510
00:50:03,680 --> 00:50:06,600
I have to wait,
and this plane will land.


511
00:50:08,720 --> 00:50:10,200
RADIO: Ready.


512
00:50:13,000 --> 00:50:17,240
As the allocated time slot arrives,
the geese take up position.


513
00:50:21,160 --> 00:50:23,320
Now it's the moment of truth.


514
00:50:39,320 --> 00:50:43,080
HORN HONKS


515
00:50:49,280 --> 00:50:52,120
Christian is using a special
lightweight camera,


516
00:50:52,120 --> 00:50:55,440
but flying and filming at the same
time is never going to be easy.


517
00:51:03,720 --> 00:51:05,960
Despite all of the distractions,


518
00:51:05,960 --> 00:51:10,280
the bond between Christian
and his birds is as strong as ever.


519
00:51:20,480 --> 00:51:23,480
They hold a nice tight formation.


520
00:51:26,360 --> 00:51:29,600
But he has to juggle everything
to achieve what he came for.


521
00:51:31,480 --> 00:51:36,080
His amazing affinity with his birds
is paying off once more.


522
00:51:58,880 --> 00:52:03,000
For Christian and his geese,
it's mission accomplished.


523
00:52:08,440 --> 00:52:12,040
But one more big challenge
still faces the team,


524
00:52:12,040 --> 00:52:15,640
one that will take huge resources
and military planning.


525
00:52:18,280 --> 00:52:20,680
Istanbul is the gateway into Europe


526
00:52:20,680 --> 00:52:23,400
for many birds migrating
from Africa and Asia.


527
00:52:24,440 --> 00:52:26,920
The team is interested in one bird


528
00:52:26,920 --> 00:52:31,640
that arrives here in the hundreds of
thousands - the famous white stork.


529
00:52:33,600 --> 00:52:37,480
To spot the approaching birds,
a network of ornithologists


530
00:52:37,480 --> 00:52:42,040
are stationed at different points
along the migration route.


531
00:52:43,040 --> 00:52:48,080
Even so, the bird's arrival is
spontaneous and unpredictable.


532
00:52:49,720 --> 00:52:53,520
And strong winds can push them
high out of sight.


533
00:52:56,800 --> 00:52:59,760
After a week of false alarms,
the storks suddenly appear.


534
00:52:59,760 --> 00:53:04,320
..to the front one,
which is now thermalling a bit.


535
00:53:04,320 --> 00:53:09,280
Then others join them,
heading right for the city.


536
00:53:09,280 --> 00:53:11,600
HE SPEAKS TURKISH


537
00:53:11,600 --> 00:53:15,560
The filming teams
have been waiting for this moment.


538
00:53:16,800 --> 00:53:19,600
A microlight
is first to be scrambled.


539
00:53:21,080 --> 00:53:24,480
Then a helicopter with
a stabilised camera mount.


540
00:53:30,240 --> 00:53:33,440
The helicopter has been
cleared to fly over the city...


541
00:53:40,880 --> 00:53:45,160
..while the microlight shadows the
flocks through the city outskirts.


542
00:54:02,600 --> 00:54:06,080
Then a spotter sees
an unexpected sight -


543
00:54:06,080 --> 00:54:09,280
thousands of storks in trouble
way out to sea.


544
00:54:13,000 --> 00:54:16,560
The helicopter crew capture
the moment the storks reach safety.


545
00:54:23,240 --> 00:54:27,280
The Princes Islands,
seven miles from the mainland.


546
00:54:28,640 --> 00:54:30,880
Thermals rising from the rocks


547
00:54:30,880 --> 00:54:33,760
gives them the boost they need
to make it to the mainland.


548
00:54:41,840 --> 00:54:45,440
In Istanbul, the ground teams
are waiting.


549
00:54:58,040 --> 00:55:01,720
One crew are even on the minarets
of the famous Hagia Sophia.


550
00:55:02,720 --> 00:55:05,600
They capture another view
of this great invasion.


551
00:55:16,800 --> 00:55:20,520
The stork's story was an epic
Earthflight tale of endurance,


552
00:55:20,520 --> 00:55:23,600
and it became a fitting start
to the programme on Europe.


553
00:55:30,000 --> 00:55:32,760
Telling the story of
the birds' great journeys


554
00:55:32,760 --> 00:55:34,480
across the world's continents


555
00:55:34,480 --> 00:55:37,360
was a project that involved hundreds
of dedicated people.


556
00:55:38,520 --> 00:55:41,560
Helped by new technology
and new filming techniques,


557
00:55:41,560 --> 00:55:44,520
the birds' lives were captured
as never before.


558
00:55:59,560 --> 00:56:00,840
But at every stage,


559
00:56:00,840 --> 00:56:04,080
the story was guided by
the behaviour of wild birds


560
00:56:04,080 --> 00:56:06,400
who had an incredible tale
to tell.


561
00:56:14,280 --> 00:56:18,560
They took the film crews to sights
never seen before...


562
00:56:32,320 --> 00:56:36,160
..and retold familiar stories
from a whole new perspective.


563
00:56:43,040 --> 00:56:46,120
They continually surprised
with their ingenuity...


564
00:56:53,760 --> 00:56:55,360
..their intelligence...


565
00:57:02,800 --> 00:57:04,840
..and their devotion.


566
00:57:13,560 --> 00:57:15,400
They showed us their challenges...


567
00:57:26,880 --> 00:57:28,400
..and their triumphs.


568
00:57:40,320 --> 00:57:42,280
We shared in their dramas...


569
00:57:48,880 --> 00:57:51,520
..and their greatest successes.


570
00:57:57,160 --> 00:58:01,400
Wherever they took us, they showed
us the world with fresh eyes.


571
00:58:09,360 --> 00:58:11,360
Earthflight was their story -


572
00:58:11,360 --> 00:58:14,640
and it continually surprised
the team that helped tell it.


573
00:58:16,000 --> 00:58:19,880
Our view of birds
will never be the same again.


574
00:58:32,560 --> 00:58:34,600
Subtitles by Red Bee Media


575
00:58:34,600 --> 00:58:36,840
E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk