Dr. Sarah Peterson is a Wildlife Biologist at the Dixon Field Station.
She is broadly interested in the ecology and movement of upper trophic level predators, with a focus on birds and mammals. Additionally, she is interested in the interplay between foraging ecology and both contaminant bioaccumulation and toxicological risk. She conducted her PhD at UC Santa Cruz, where she examined how ecology and physiology influence contaminant bioaccumulation (mercury and persistent organic pollutants) in seals and sea lions.
Currently, she works as part of a large collaborative research effort to study ground-nesting waterfowl at the Grizzly Island Wildlife Area. She leads a portion of the study that quantifies survival and movement of ducklings, using VHF radio-telemetry. She also quantifies the space use and movements of raccoons and skunks around duck nests using GPS technology.
Education
- Ph.D. 2015. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. University of California Santa Cruz, CA (UCSC)
- M.Sc. 2008. Marine and Estuarine Science. Dept. of Biology. Western Washington University, WA (WWU)
- B.A. 2005. Biology and Environmental Studies. Whitman College, WA
Professional Research Experience
- Wildlife Biologist, USGS, Western Ecological Research Center (2015–present)
- Doctoral Researcher, Ecology, Physiology & Conservation of Marine Animals Lab, Dept. of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, UCSC (2010–2015)
- Biological Technician (shorebird & seabird research), USGS, Western Ecological Research Center (2010)
- Biological Technician & Volunteer, Yellowstone Gray Wolf Recovery Program, Yellowstone National Park (2008–2009 & 2015)
- Masters Research, Marine Mammal Ecology Lab, Dept. of Biology, WWU (2006–2008)
- Graduate Student Research Assistant, Marine Mammal Ecology Lab, Dept. of Biology, WWU (2007)
- Biological Researcher, Ecological Research Station, Öland, Sweden (2004)
- Field Assistant, Botswana Wild Dog Research Camp, Botswana, Africa (2003)
Outreach and Education
- Graduate Student TA, Dept. of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, UCSC (2011, 2014 & 2015)
- Naturalist & Kayak Guide, CA, WA, & southeast AK (2005–2015)
- Graduate Student TA, Dept. of Biology, WWU (2007–2008)
- GK-12 National Science Foundation Fellow (graduate students in K-12 education), Dept. of Biology, WWU (2006–2007)
- Science Instructor, The Ocean Institute, CA (2005–2006)
Science and Products
Predator Movements and Duck Nests in Relation to Habitat Features in Suisun Marsh, CA (2016-2019)
This dataset describes mesopredator locations (raccoons and striped skunks), dabbling duck nest locations (mallard, gadwall, and cinnamon teal), northern harrier nest locations, and random locations in relation to a set of habitat features in Suisun Marsh, California during 2016 through 2019. We designed a series of questions to link fine-scale predator movements and vulnerability of dabbling duck
Nocturnal Incubation Recess and Flushing Behavior by Duck Hens Nesting in Grizzly Island Wildlife Area 2015-2018
This dataset describes nocturnal incubation recess behavior for mallard and gadwall hens nesting in Grizzly Island Wildlife Area in breeding seasons 2015-2018. It includes the frequency, start time and duration of recesses, and details a method for determining whether a recess was initiated in response to a predator at the nest using nest temperature data.
These data support the following pub
Hair and blood total mercury concentrations in raccoons and striped skunks from Suisun Marsh 2016 to 2019
Total mercury concentrations were determined in hair and whole blood of raccoons and skunks in Suisun Marsh from 2016 to 2019. Individual skunks and raccoons were identified by a unique identifier (Animal_ID) and some animals were sampled multiple times. This dataset includes animal sex, age class, the date the sample was collected, animal body mass, head length, and head-to-torso length.
The
Avian Eggshell Thickness for 12 Species in the Western U.S. from 2014 to 2018
Eggshell thickness was measured at the egg equator and poles (sharp pole and blunt pole) for 12 avian species. Eggshell thickness was related to egg morphometrics (egg length and width), embryonic development, egg status, and mercury contamination. Individual eggshells each have up to 3 thickness measurements, linked by the eggshell identification. Each measurement has the corresponding egg length
The timing of dabbling duckling hatch, nest departure and depredation in Suisun Marsh, California from 2015-2017
These data include a row for each duck nest equipped with a small video camera. We present the location of the nest, the timing of the start of hatch, the timing of the end of hatch, and the timing of the departure of the hen and ducklings from the nest. Additionally, this table includes any predators that were observed at the nest depredating eggs prior to hatch and any predators that were observ
Variability of mercury concentrations among whole bird feathers, feather homogenates, and feather components quantified in California in 2017-2018
These data are the raw total mercury (THg) concentrations in whole feathers, feather homogenates, and feather components (i.e., rachis, vane, calamus) that are presented in the Journal Article "Mercury concentrations vary within and among individual bird feathers: A critical evaluation and guidelines for feather use in mercury monitoring programs" in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry by Peter
Prey fish returned to Forsters tern colonies in South San Francisco Bay during 2005-2015
Prey fish were collected at 17 Forsters tern breeding colonies during colony visits from 2005-2015. Prey fish were identified to the lowest taxonomic category. We present relative abundances by colony and year for each of the 10 major species groups. Unidentified fish species or rarely observed species were combined into an Other category. We calculated an arithmetic mean, standard deviation (sd),
Filter Total Items: 23
Dabbling duck eggs hatch after nest abandonment in the wild
In most birds, parental incubation of eggs is necessary for embryo development and survival. Using a combination of weekly nest visits, temperature dataloggers, infrared video cameras, and GPS tracking of hens, we documented several instances of duck eggs hatching after being abandoned by the incubating female. Of 2826 Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) and Gadwall (Mareca strepera) nests monitored 2015
Predator movements in relation to habitat features reveal vulnerability of duck nests to predation
Nest predation is the main cause of nest failure for ducks. Understanding how habitat features influence predator movements may facilitate management of upland and wetland breeding habitats that reduces predator encounter rates with duck nests and increases nest survival rates. For 1618 duck nests, nest survival increased with distance to phragmites (Phragmites australis), shrubs, telephone poles,
Avian influenza antibody prevalence increases with mercury contamination in wild waterfowl
Environmental contamination is widespread and can negatively impact wildlife health. Some contaminants, including heavy metals, have immunosuppressive effects, but prior studies have rarely measured contamination and disease simultaneously, which limits our understanding of how contaminants and pathogens interact to influence wildlife health. Here, we measured mercury concentrations, influenza inf
Wetland availability and salinity concentrations for breeding waterfowl in Suisun Marsh, California
Availability of wetlands with low salinities during the breeding season can influence waterfowl reproductive success and population recruitment. Salinities as low as 2 ppt (3.6 mScm–1) can impair duckling growth and influence behavior, with mortality occurring above 9 ppt (14.8 mScm–1). We used satellite imagery to quantify the amount of available water, and sampled surface water salinity at Grizz
Nocturnal incubation recess and flushing behavior by duck hens
Incubating birds must balance the needs of their developing embryos with their own physiological needs, and many birds accomplish this by taking periodic breaks from incubation. Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) and gadwall (Mareca strepera) hens typically take incubation recesses in the early morning and late afternoon, but recesses can also take place at night. We examined nocturnal incubation recess
Interrupted incubation: How dabbling ducks respond when flushed from the nest
Nesting birds must provide a thermal environment sufficient for egg development while also meeting self‐maintenance needs. Many birds, particularly those with uniparental incubation, achieve this balance through periodic incubation recesses, during which foraging and other self‐maintenance activities can occur. However, incubating birds may experience disturbances such as predator or human activit
Mercury exposure in mammalian mesopredators inhabiting a brackish marsh
Bioaccumulation of environmental contaminants in mammalian predators can serve as an indicator of ecosystem health. We examined mercury concentrations of raccoons (Procyon lotor; n = 37 individuals) and striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis; n = 87 individuals) in Suisun Marsh, California, a large brackish marsh that is characterized by contiguous tracts of tidal marsh and seasonally impounded wetland
Avian eggshell thickness in relation to egg morphometrics, embryonic development, and mercury contamination
Eggshell thickness is important for physiological, ecological, and ecotoxicological studies on birds; however, empirical eggshell thickness measurements for many species and regions are limited. We measured eggshell thickness at the equator and the egg poles for 12 avian species and related eggshell thickness to egg morphometrics, embryonic development, egg status, and mercury contamination. Withi
Good prospects: High-resolution telemetry data suggests novel brood-site selection behavior in waterfowl
Breeding success should increase with prior knowledge of the surrounding environment, which is dependent upon an animal’s ability to evaluate habitat. Prospecting for nesting locations and migratory stop-over sites are well-established behaviors among bird species. We assessed whether ducks in Suisun Marsh, California, USA, a brackish marsh, prospect for suitable wetlands in the week prior to broo
Transmitter effects on growth and survival of Forster’s tern chicks
Radio‐telemetry is a commonly used scientific technique that allows researchers to collect detailed movement, habitat use, and survival data of animals; however, evidence indicates that using telemetry can affect behavior and survival. Using multiple breeding colonies and years, we investigated the effects of attached radio‐transmitters on growth and survival of Forster's tern (Sterna forsteri ) c
Current state of knowledge on biological effects from contaminants on arctic wildlife and fish
Since the last Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) effort to review biological effects of the exposure to organohalogen compounds (OHCs) in Arctic biota, there has been a considerable number of new Arctic effect studies. Here, we provide an update on the state of the knowledge of OHC, and also include mercury, exposure and/or associated effects in key Arctic marine and terrestrial ma
Sitting ducklings: Timing of hatch, nest departure, and predation risk for dabbling duck broods
For ground‐nesting waterfowl, the timing of egg hatch and duckling departure from the nest may be influenced by the risk of predation at the nest and en route to wetlands and constrained by the time required for ducklings to imprint on the hen and be physically able to leave the nest. We determined the timing of hatch, nest departure, and predation on dabbling duck broods using small video cameras
Waterfowl Ecology in Suisun Marsh and the Pacific Flyway
Learn about waterfowl research by scientists at the USGS Western Ecological Research Center.
Science and Products
- Data
Predator Movements and Duck Nests in Relation to Habitat Features in Suisun Marsh, CA (2016-2019)
This dataset describes mesopredator locations (raccoons and striped skunks), dabbling duck nest locations (mallard, gadwall, and cinnamon teal), northern harrier nest locations, and random locations in relation to a set of habitat features in Suisun Marsh, California during 2016 through 2019. We designed a series of questions to link fine-scale predator movements and vulnerability of dabbling duckNocturnal Incubation Recess and Flushing Behavior by Duck Hens Nesting in Grizzly Island Wildlife Area 2015-2018
This dataset describes nocturnal incubation recess behavior for mallard and gadwall hens nesting in Grizzly Island Wildlife Area in breeding seasons 2015-2018. It includes the frequency, start time and duration of recesses, and details a method for determining whether a recess was initiated in response to a predator at the nest using nest temperature data. These data support the following pubHair and blood total mercury concentrations in raccoons and striped skunks from Suisun Marsh 2016 to 2019
Total mercury concentrations were determined in hair and whole blood of raccoons and skunks in Suisun Marsh from 2016 to 2019. Individual skunks and raccoons were identified by a unique identifier (Animal_ID) and some animals were sampled multiple times. This dataset includes animal sex, age class, the date the sample was collected, animal body mass, head length, and head-to-torso length. TheAvian Eggshell Thickness for 12 Species in the Western U.S. from 2014 to 2018
Eggshell thickness was measured at the egg equator and poles (sharp pole and blunt pole) for 12 avian species. Eggshell thickness was related to egg morphometrics (egg length and width), embryonic development, egg status, and mercury contamination. Individual eggshells each have up to 3 thickness measurements, linked by the eggshell identification. Each measurement has the corresponding egg lengthThe timing of dabbling duckling hatch, nest departure and depredation in Suisun Marsh, California from 2015-2017
These data include a row for each duck nest equipped with a small video camera. We present the location of the nest, the timing of the start of hatch, the timing of the end of hatch, and the timing of the departure of the hen and ducklings from the nest. Additionally, this table includes any predators that were observed at the nest depredating eggs prior to hatch and any predators that were observVariability of mercury concentrations among whole bird feathers, feather homogenates, and feather components quantified in California in 2017-2018
These data are the raw total mercury (THg) concentrations in whole feathers, feather homogenates, and feather components (i.e., rachis, vane, calamus) that are presented in the Journal Article "Mercury concentrations vary within and among individual bird feathers: A critical evaluation and guidelines for feather use in mercury monitoring programs" in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry by PeterPrey fish returned to Forsters tern colonies in South San Francisco Bay during 2005-2015
Prey fish were collected at 17 Forsters tern breeding colonies during colony visits from 2005-2015. Prey fish were identified to the lowest taxonomic category. We present relative abundances by colony and year for each of the 10 major species groups. Unidentified fish species or rarely observed species were combined into an Other category. We calculated an arithmetic mean, standard deviation (sd), - Multimedia
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 23
Dabbling duck eggs hatch after nest abandonment in the wild
In most birds, parental incubation of eggs is necessary for embryo development and survival. Using a combination of weekly nest visits, temperature dataloggers, infrared video cameras, and GPS tracking of hens, we documented several instances of duck eggs hatching after being abandoned by the incubating female. Of 2826 Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) and Gadwall (Mareca strepera) nests monitored 2015Predator movements in relation to habitat features reveal vulnerability of duck nests to predation
Nest predation is the main cause of nest failure for ducks. Understanding how habitat features influence predator movements may facilitate management of upland and wetland breeding habitats that reduces predator encounter rates with duck nests and increases nest survival rates. For 1618 duck nests, nest survival increased with distance to phragmites (Phragmites australis), shrubs, telephone poles,Avian influenza antibody prevalence increases with mercury contamination in wild waterfowl
Environmental contamination is widespread and can negatively impact wildlife health. Some contaminants, including heavy metals, have immunosuppressive effects, but prior studies have rarely measured contamination and disease simultaneously, which limits our understanding of how contaminants and pathogens interact to influence wildlife health. Here, we measured mercury concentrations, influenza infWetland availability and salinity concentrations for breeding waterfowl in Suisun Marsh, California
Availability of wetlands with low salinities during the breeding season can influence waterfowl reproductive success and population recruitment. Salinities as low as 2 ppt (3.6 mScm–1) can impair duckling growth and influence behavior, with mortality occurring above 9 ppt (14.8 mScm–1). We used satellite imagery to quantify the amount of available water, and sampled surface water salinity at GrizzNocturnal incubation recess and flushing behavior by duck hens
Incubating birds must balance the needs of their developing embryos with their own physiological needs, and many birds accomplish this by taking periodic breaks from incubation. Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) and gadwall (Mareca strepera) hens typically take incubation recesses in the early morning and late afternoon, but recesses can also take place at night. We examined nocturnal incubation recessInterrupted incubation: How dabbling ducks respond when flushed from the nest
Nesting birds must provide a thermal environment sufficient for egg development while also meeting self‐maintenance needs. Many birds, particularly those with uniparental incubation, achieve this balance through periodic incubation recesses, during which foraging and other self‐maintenance activities can occur. However, incubating birds may experience disturbances such as predator or human activitMercury exposure in mammalian mesopredators inhabiting a brackish marsh
Bioaccumulation of environmental contaminants in mammalian predators can serve as an indicator of ecosystem health. We examined mercury concentrations of raccoons (Procyon lotor; n = 37 individuals) and striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis; n = 87 individuals) in Suisun Marsh, California, a large brackish marsh that is characterized by contiguous tracts of tidal marsh and seasonally impounded wetlandAvian eggshell thickness in relation to egg morphometrics, embryonic development, and mercury contamination
Eggshell thickness is important for physiological, ecological, and ecotoxicological studies on birds; however, empirical eggshell thickness measurements for many species and regions are limited. We measured eggshell thickness at the equator and the egg poles for 12 avian species and related eggshell thickness to egg morphometrics, embryonic development, egg status, and mercury contamination. WithiGood prospects: High-resolution telemetry data suggests novel brood-site selection behavior in waterfowl
Breeding success should increase with prior knowledge of the surrounding environment, which is dependent upon an animal’s ability to evaluate habitat. Prospecting for nesting locations and migratory stop-over sites are well-established behaviors among bird species. We assessed whether ducks in Suisun Marsh, California, USA, a brackish marsh, prospect for suitable wetlands in the week prior to brooTransmitter effects on growth and survival of Forster’s tern chicks
Radio‐telemetry is a commonly used scientific technique that allows researchers to collect detailed movement, habitat use, and survival data of animals; however, evidence indicates that using telemetry can affect behavior and survival. Using multiple breeding colonies and years, we investigated the effects of attached radio‐transmitters on growth and survival of Forster's tern (Sterna forsteri ) cCurrent state of knowledge on biological effects from contaminants on arctic wildlife and fish
Since the last Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) effort to review biological effects of the exposure to organohalogen compounds (OHCs) in Arctic biota, there has been a considerable number of new Arctic effect studies. Here, we provide an update on the state of the knowledge of OHC, and also include mercury, exposure and/or associated effects in key Arctic marine and terrestrial maSitting ducklings: Timing of hatch, nest departure, and predation risk for dabbling duck broods
For ground‐nesting waterfowl, the timing of egg hatch and duckling departure from the nest may be influenced by the risk of predation at the nest and en route to wetlands and constrained by the time required for ducklings to imprint on the hen and be physically able to leave the nest. We determined the timing of hatch, nest departure, and predation on dabbling duck broods using small video cameras - Web Tools
Waterfowl Ecology in Suisun Marsh and the Pacific Flyway
Learn about waterfowl research by scientists at the USGS Western Ecological Research Center.
- News