Photographer Captures Weasel Riding on the Back of a Flying Woodpecker

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A photographer and birdwatcher in London has captured a strange and rare photo that has the Internet abuzz: an image showing a weasel riding on the back of a woodpecker as it flies through the air.

Martin Le-May was walking with his wife through Hornchurch Country Park in east London yesterday afternoon when he heard loud squawking. He saw a woodpecker flying in his direction and quickly snapped some photos of what was unfolding.

The photo has since quickly gone viral in the media and on social networks. The photo was shared by fellow birder and wildlife photographer Jason Ward and subsequently retweeted thousands of times:

Here’s a short segment that just aired on BBC in which wildlife expert and BBC presenter Lucy Cooke explains why the sight is so unusual:

You can also find an interview with Le-May about the photo over on ITV News.


Image credits: Photograph by Martin Le-May

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