Red-bellied Woodpecker and Broad-winged Hawk (?) continues at/near Crow Valley Campground

[ronbco]

The RBW pretty much had the run of Crow Valley Campground.

I spotted the BWH a couple miles north of the campground along one of the PNG dirt roads. 

At least I hope it was that species and not a Harrier. The tail had a pretty distinctive white part...at least that is what my mind decided after I looked at the field guide and ruminated on the matter for a couple hours (wanting it to be the Hawk, as it will be a lifer).

My doubt is over the location. There are a few groups of cottonwoods along that road, but it is definitely not a deciduous "forest".

It was flying low and going for something on the ground..I know, that sounds Harrier-like, but it was not a low patrol; when I saw it it was coming in for a kill (but the prey must have scooted because it pulled up right at ground level).

Can someone comment on seeing this species in more wide open terrain?

Ron Bolton

Berthoud