ML613636436

Observation details

Two large rafts - birds actively feeding on small fish shoal. ID based on following features - 1 Worn light brown upperpart colour (Hutton's should be less worn in late December due to different moult yiming), 2 Lack of hooded appearance (photographs give this impression) but in the field the throat and breast were clearly white, 3 Lack of dark wedge under armpit, 4 White saddlebags on sides of rump, 5 Very white underwings, 6 most importantly active moult (visible in photograph) - In reference documention, it is stated that Hutton's breeds and moults later, and that moult mainly happens in the wintering grounds off Tazmania. Hutton's should not show active moult until circa March/April.