During a habitat enhancement effort at tidal strip marshes surrounding restored salt ponds in the South San Francisco Bay a high density of rodent nests were observed, many of which could be attributed to the salt marsh harvest mouse (SMHM; Reithrodontomys raviventris) an endangered San Francisco Estuary endemic. In addition to nests, ample evidence of rodent foraging was observed in many forms. Here we will describe several types of nests, including resting and piping, and provide photos and an analysis of placement and density. Nests were found in low, mid, and high marsh, and on levee tops, in a variety of vegetation types including, and most commonly, pickleweed, alkali heath, and marsh gumplant. Evidence of rodent foraging was also found throughout marsh zones and vegetation types, ranging from hulls of consumed seeds to apparently cached insect eggs. Often observed were what we describe here as “galleys,” locations or platforms where SMHM (or other marsh rodents) harvest, age, cache, and consume plant and insect matter. Photographs as well as instructions for locating and identifying galleys are presented here. These observations vastly expand our knowledge of SMHM nesting and foraging and will improve avoidance and minimization methods for future habitat enhancement efforts.

A graduate of Humboldt State University, Laura Coatney has held a variety of positions at non-profits and cities/local municipalities in the San Francisco Bay Area. She currently works as a wildlife biologist at Alluvion Biological Consulting. Laura is an active member of the Western Section and has volunteered extensively with the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society and the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory. At the Audubon Society, Laura is a member of the outreach and field trip committees, independently developed self-guided field trips, co-manages the organization’s social media instagram page, and participates in the Christmas Bird Count for Santa Clara County.