I arrived between 5:00 &5:30 pm and the immature dark phase Swainson's Hawk
spent the time until just at or after sunset in the cut alfalfa field north
of Hiland Wood Working and behind the shoe store (south of SR39 in the
south west corner of the intersection with TR401) chasing after and
catching insects apparently grasshoppers.  It was an excellent show.  It is
unusual for us eastern birders to see a hawk running  on the ground through
the short grass but this is reported to be a common behavior for Swainson's
Hawks in their western US and Canada territory.  The SWHA flew north of
SR39 at or after sunset and then swung east toward some trees or woods as
it disappeared from view.  Several of us had followed the lead of a local
grandfather and two grandsons who walked along the western edge of the
field to get a better look at the hawk.  The backlighting from the setting
sun provided better photo ops than from right behind the shoe store looking
toward the wood working factory.  Great bird for Ohio!  A new one for Ohio
for me!  Thanks for all the prior reports and alerts.
Jay

Jay G Lehman Cincinnati, OH
Sent from DROID RAZR HD

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