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Isle of Sheppey setting for epic heron versus weasel battle to the death

Birds are getting their own back after a weasel was spotted riding a woodpecker – by eating them.

Just days after the woodpecker-riding weasel went viral, a huge grey heron was spotted killing and eating his cousin on the Isle of Sheppey.

Jonathan Forgham managed to capture the moment the heron drowned a weasel after it valiantly fought against its much bigger foe.

Heron still live at Great Heron Wood in Appledore Picture: Jonathan Forgham
Heron still live at Great Heron Wood in Appledore Picture: Jonathan Forgham
Before the heron takes to the air with the weasel in its mouth. Picture: Jonathan Forgham
Before the heron takes to the air with the weasel in its mouth. Picture: Jonathan Forgham
The bird dunks the weasel under the water and things are not looking good. Picture: Jonathan Forgham
The bird dunks the weasel under the water and things are not looking good. Picture: Jonathan Forgham

Amateur photographer Jonathan, 56, of Little Hadham, Herts, managed to capture most of the struggle.

He said: “The fight started off in the grass, but then the heron picked it up and flew onto a small pond.

“The little weasel was doing its best – at one point he was even hanging off the bird’s beak by his teeth.

It's all over for the weasel. Picture: Jonathan Forgham
It's all over for the weasel. Picture: Jonathan Forgham
And it is eaten by the large bird. Picture: Jonathan Forgham
And it is eaten by the large bird. Picture: Jonathan Forgham
The weasel riding a woodpecker. Picture: Martin Le-May
The weasel riding a woodpecker. Picture: Martin Le-May

“But the heron just grabbed it and thrust it under water.

“The weasel drowned, in the end.

“It was tough to watch – I was rooting for the little guy.

“I had no idea a heron would eat a weasel – it must have been trying to get revenge.”


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