This presentation will review biological observations and lessons learned during habitat enhancement actions at San Francisco International Airport’s West-of-Bayshore property in San Mateo County. Discussion will center upon three uncommon aspects of California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii) biology that were encountered in summer 2022, and how each affected the site enhancement approach. These include aestivating frogs that were discovered during the record-breaking September 2022 heat wave; a localized area where tadpoles and metamorphs expressed severe edema (bloating); and how the finding of overwintering larvae affected site enhancement actions. Field responses to be discussed include the use of a portable vascular doppler meter to detect blood movement in unresponsive aestivating frogs; laboratory treatment methods, pathology reports, and water quality testing results to respond to the observed edema; and efforts to retain floating vegetation (floating marsh pennywort; Hydrocotyle ranunculoides) to maintain habitat and avoid late season California red-legged frog tadpoles.

Brian Pittman is a wildlife biologist whose personal interests focus on amphibians and reptiles. He is a Certified Wildlife Biologist with recovery permits for California red-legged frog and California tiger salamander and has worked with these species for over 20 years. He joined Environmental Science Associates in 1997 and is their Wildlife Program Manager for Northern California. In this capacity, he leads and coordinates focused wildlife surveys, develops permitting strategies, and oversees large field deployments with wildlife management elements. Brian holds a BA in Biology from U.C. Santa Cruz and an M.S. in Environmental Studies from San Jose State University.