Creature swooping near ground takes line downwards (3)
I believe the answer is:
owl
'creature' is the definition.
(owl is a kind of creature)
'swooping near ground takes line downwards' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'line' could be 'l' and 'l' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'ow' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for owl that I've seen before include "Predator" , "Mainly nocturnal bird" , "Traditionally wise bird" , "Lear's loved a Pussy-cat" , "Winged hooter" .)