This past weekend, Rich Guthrie spotted an unusual hawk along the road near Coxsackie in Greene County, New York. The bird did not fit any of the ‘expected’ raptors, so he wisely photographed the bird. He then sent the photos out to other birders and it took a couple of days, but eventually the bird was deemed to have been a juvenile Swainson’s Hawk! Rich left a message with Danika and I passed the info on to HM Birds, but it appeared it was a one day wonder.
Then on October 6, at just about dark, my phone rang and it was Rich stating that he had refound the bird. It was too late in the day for us to try and find it, but we made arrangements to get down there the next morning.
Even though the day woke dreary and gloomy, with heavy rain during the ride down, the bird was present. Pulling off the Thruway and into the Sunoco Station, we met Don Gresens and Rich who already had the bird scoped out on the wires about 50 yards away. Even the gas station clerk came out and photographed it with his cell phone. After awhile, the bird moved form the wires to a large billboard which lists all the local business. We watched the bird for about 45 minutes, before it was time for me to go to work.
Thanks Rich for getting the word out and be sure to check out his original discovery over at his blog.
Click on the image for a larger view.
Cool bird! I’m glad it stuck around.
The second and third shots are fantastic!! Great looking bird.
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