State of California The Resources Agency

Memorandum

To: Files

Date April 14. 1982

For: Department of Fish and Game

Subject: Results of Rodent Testing on the Holiday Magic Parcel in San Rafael.

The attempt to determine the presence or absence of salt marsh harvest mice on a parcel of land called the Holiday Magic parcel in east San Rafael, Marin County. The site contained several acres of pickleweed which, though healthy, appeared to be on the decline due to competition from upland species. In the open areas between patches of plckleweed, new growth brass buttons and annual grasses were coming up.

One hundred Sherran live traps were placed in two trap lines in the pickleweed area of the parcel. The traps were opened each evening of March 22 - 24, 1982, and checked each evening. The trapping effort totaled 300 trap nights and yielded no endangered salt marsh harvest nice. However, four house mice, one meadow mouse and thirteen western harvest mice were trapped during the effort. Some recaptures are possible since the individuals captured were not marked.

Even though the salt marsh harvest mouse is an endangered species end a negative trapping effort does not definitely prove its absence from an area, it is my feeling that the salt marsh harvest mouse does not occur on the parcel in question. The habitat does not appear to provide adequate cover and competition from the western harvest mice probably reduces the attractiveness of the area to salt marsh harvest mice.

Fred

Fred Botti

Wildlife Biologist/North Bay Unit

Region 3