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Weasel photographed riding on a woodpecker's back | Weasel photographed riding on a woodpecker's back |
(35 minutes later) | |
Amateur photographer Martin Le-May, from Essex, has recorded the extraordinary image of a weasel riding on the back of a green woodpecker as it flies through the air. | Amateur photographer Martin Le-May, from Essex, has recorded the extraordinary image of a weasel riding on the back of a green woodpecker as it flies through the air. |
The photograph was taken at Hornchurch Country Park in east London on Monday afternoon. | The photograph was taken at Hornchurch Country Park in east London on Monday afternoon. |
Speaking to BBC News, Mr Le-May said he had managed to capture the moment while he was out walking with his wife Ann. | Speaking to BBC News, Mr Le-May said he had managed to capture the moment while he was out walking with his wife Ann. |
He said: "I heard a distressed squawking noise and feared the worst. | He said: "I heard a distressed squawking noise and feared the worst. |
"I soon realised it was a woodpecker with some kind of small mammal on its back. | "I soon realised it was a woodpecker with some kind of small mammal on its back. |
"I think we may have distracted the weasel as when the woodpecker landed it managed to escape and the weasel ran into the grass." | "I think we may have distracted the weasel as when the woodpecker landed it managed to escape and the weasel ran into the grass." |
Mr Le-May said he was astounded by the reaction to the picture on social media. | Mr Le-May said he was astounded by the reaction to the picture on social media. |
The wildlife shot has been retweeted several thousand times. | The wildlife shot has been retweeted several thousand times. |
He said; "I'm so proud so many people are getting to see my image. I'm totally taken aback by the response to it." | He said; "I'm so proud so many people are getting to see my image. I'm totally taken aback by the response to it." |
'Ferocious as a lion' | 'Ferocious as a lion' |
Wildlife expert Lucy Cooke told the BBC News Channel: "This is a truly extraordinary image. | Wildlife expert Lucy Cooke told the BBC News Channel: "This is a truly extraordinary image. |
"The green woodpecker is a ground-feeding bird, but weasels normally attack rabbits. The woodpecker is not its usual prey. | "The green woodpecker is a ground-feeding bird, but weasels normally attack rabbits. The woodpecker is not its usual prey. |
"But weasels are fearless. | "But weasels are fearless. |
"A female weasel weighs less than a Mars Bar but is as ferocious as a lion, so this is why the woodpecker would have been able to take off with it on its back." | "A female weasel weighs less than a Mars Bar but is as ferocious as a lion, so this is why the woodpecker would have been able to take off with it on its back." |
Wildlife presenter Steve Backshall agrees that while highly unusual it is not totally unheard of and has "no reason to doubt" the photo. | |
He compared the woodpecker to other animals like leaf cutter ants and rhino beetles, which can carry 850 times their body weight. | |
He said: "The weasel is pretty fascinating as well. It can kill things much bigger than itself, so it's an impressive little creature when you think about its size." |