Peter C. Osenton

USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
12100 Beech Forest Road
Laurel, Md. 20708 USA

Telephone: 301-497-5644

Fax: 301-497-5617

Email: posenton@usgs.gov 

Wildlife Biologist

Primary Responsibilities: 

Conduct research on invertebrates, especially marine mollusks and odonates.
Assist researchers with a wide variety of field studies, database management, and technical and logistical support.

Education/Training: 

BS University of Rhode Island -- 1976 Resource Development-Wildlife Biology 

Areas of Expertise/Interest: 

Identification and ecology of birds, mammals, herpetofauna, invertebrates (terrestrial, freshwater and marine) and herbaceous and woody plants.
Habitat Management techniques, research and conservation biology. 

Active Projects: 

The Atlantic Flyway Seaduck Project. http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/resshow/perry/scoters/

Assessing Wildlife Utilization of Seasonally Saturated Coastal Plain Forested Wetlands (Flatwoods) on the Delmarva Peninsula.

Diving Duck distribution, abundance, and food habits in Chesapeake Bay. http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/resshow/perry/foodhabits.htm

The exotic mute swan (Cygnus olor) in Chesapeake Bay, USA.  http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/resshow/perry/muteswan.htm

Publications/Products: 

Beyer, W. N., M. C. Perry, and P. C. Osenton. 2008. Sediment ingestion rates in waterfowl (Anatidae) and their use in environmental risk assessment. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management 4(2):246-251. web link.

Haramis, G. M., W. A. Link, P. C. Osenton, D. B. Carter, R. G Weber, N. A. Clark, M. A. Teece, and D. S MIzrahi, 2007. Stable isotope and pen feeding trial studies confirm the value of horseshoe crab Limulus polyphemus eggs to spring migrant shorebirds in Delaware Bay. J. Avian Biol. 38: 367-376.

Perry, M. C., A. M. Wells-Berlin, D. M. Kidwell, and P. C. Osenton. 2007. Temporal changes of populations and trophic relationships of wintering diving ducks in Chesapeake Bay . Pages 4-16 in R. Michael Erwin, Bryan D. Watts, G. Michael Haramis, Matthew C. Perry, and Keith A. Hobson, editors. Waterbirds of the Chesapeake Bay and Vicinity: Harbingers of Change? Waterbirds 30(Special Publication 1). 182 pp. Full text

Perry, M. C., D. M. Kidwell, A. M. Wells, E. J. R. Lohnes, P. C. Osenton, and S. H. Altmann. 2006. Characterization of breeding habitats for black and surf scoters in the eastern boreal forest and subarctic regions of Canada. Pages 80-89 in Alan Hanson, Joseph Kerekes, and Julie Paquet, editors. Limnology and Waterbirds 2003. The 4th Conference of the Aquatic Birds Working Group of the Societas Internationalis Limnologiae (SIL). Canadian Wildlife Service Technical Report No. 474. xii + 202 pp. [PDF]

Perry, M. C., P. C. Osenton, G. A. Gough, J. S. Hatfield, and E. J. R. Lohnes.  2001.  Moist-soil management of wetland impoundments for plants and invertebrates.  http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/ressshow/perry/impound.htm

Perry, M. C., P. C. Osenton, and C. S. Stoll. 2001. Biological diversity of created forested wetlands in comparison to reference forested wetlands in the Bay watershed. Pages 261-268 in Glenn D. Therres, editor.  Conservation Proceedings.  Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Annapolis, MD.  344pp.

Hahn, D. C., R. D. Price and P. C. Osenton. 2000.  Use of lice to identify cowbird hosts.  Auk 117:943-951.

Perry, M. C., P. C. Osenton, G. A. Gough, and E. J. R. Lohnes.  2000 Establishment of warm season grasses with and without the use of compost soil amendments.  Pages 244-248 in Proceedings of the Second Eastern Native Grass Symposium held in Baltimore, Maryland, November 17-19.  Agricultural Research Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Beltsville, MD.  360pp.

Perry, M. C., P. C. Osenton, F. W. Fallon, and J. E. Fallon.  1997.  Optimal management strategies for biodiversity within a powerline right-of-way. Pages 133-139 in James R. (Randy) Williams, John W. Goodrich-Mahoney, Jan R. Wisniewski, and Joe Wisniewski, editors.  Sixth International Symposium on Environmental Concerns in Right-of-Way Management:24-26 February 1997, New Orleans, Louisiana.  Elsevier Science, New York, NY. 511pp.