Paradise Park Choughs Star in Doc Martin

Choughs on set

The Park was asked if it would be willing for its choughs to be filmed for a special Christmas episode of ‘Doc Martin’, the ITV drama set in Cornwall.

As we have two friendly, hand-reared choughs we agreed and, like the natural stars they are, the birds performed brilliantly for the cameras! The filming took place on a purpose built set, which was set up on the picnic lawn at the Park. The choughs are used to flying around the lawn in the Free Flying Bird Show, but it took them a by surprise to suddenly find a lump of coast outside their avairy.

Ember on blue screen

A blue screen backdrop was added, and the whole scene will be superimposed onto real footage of the Cornish coast.

During a break in filming, the birds were put back into their aviary for a rest. As with any starlets, the choughs decided to freshen up, and both immediately had a bath. This resulted in another short break while the crew had to wait for for the birds to dry off!

Freshening up!

Paradise Park Wildlife Sanctuary, Hayle Cornwall TR27 4HB, UK
www.paradisepark.org.uk