Photo captures weasel and woodpecker mid-air

**Lamplighter** Wed Mar 04, 2015 8:42 am

You couldn't make it up! LL

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**bb1** Wed Mar 04, 2015 12:31 pm

Photo captures weasel and woodpecker mid-air _81366899_woodpeckerweasel

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.

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.

The wildlife shot has been retweeted several thousand times.

Not surprised the woodpecker was squawking....