Weasel photographed riding on a woodpecker’s back

Weasel photographed riding on a woodpecker’s back



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.

Speaking to BBC News, Mr Le-May said he had managed to capture the moment while he was out walking with his wife Ann.

Weasel photographed riding on a woodpecker’s back
Martin Le-May caught the moment when the woodpecker took flight with a weasel on its back

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 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.

weasel riding woodpecker wildlife photography martin le may 2
Martin Le-May caught the moment when the woodpecker took flight with a weasel on its back

The wildlife shot has been re-tweeted 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.”

‘Ferocious as a lion’

Wildlife expert Lucy Cooke told the BBC News Channel: “This is a truly extraordinary image.

weasel riding woodpecker wildlife photography martin le may 3
Martin Le-May caught the moment when the woodpecker took flight with a weasel on its back

“The green woodpecker is a ground-feeding bird, but weasels normally attack rabbits. The woodpecker is not its usual prey.

“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.”

weasel riding woodpecker wildlife photography martin le may 4
Martin Le-May caught the moment when the woodpecker took flight with a weasel 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.”

This article was first published by BBC News UK on 03 Mar 2015.

 

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