News
Trapped Deer
Microbee was asked to evict a deer that had taken up residence in a school field. A 120 Metre funnel of fence and netting was constructed and, using a trained dog, the deer was ushered out in the right direction to safety and freedom.
Peri-urban deer are becoming an increasingly common problem around our cities and towns. The recent dry spell has made urban gardens and shrubbery an attractive target. Deer ranges are usually far larger than most gardens and we sometimes come across the situation where one gardener's welcome visitor is another's rosebush-eating monster. We try to work with both the residents and the animals to help manage these situations towards an acceptable solution.
ISO 9001 & 14001
Microbee has ISO 9001 and it is implemented at every level of the organisation. We have now started on ISO 14001..
Olympic Success
Microbee has had the contract to provide pest prevention and control services to part of the London Olympics Athletes Village Site extended to cover further areas..
Gold Standard Award for Personnel Practice
Microbee was very pleased to be awarded a Gold Award Certificate of Achievement by Peninsula Business Services for commitment to a high standard of personnel practice.
The certificate "Recognizes the outstanding efforts and commitment of your organization to achieving a successful and proactive personnel management culture in your workplace."
Lake eutrophication solutions (excess nutrient causing runaway weed growth which, when it dies reduces dissolved oxygen in the water causing other organisms to die).
St Pierre Lake
Microbee have recently taken on the task of producing a management plan for managing the excess nutrient in this large lake which is causing eutrophication in the Summer months to the detriment of fish and wildlife as well as nuisance smells to the nearby residents.
Update: Microbee have now quoted for a 1000 SqM vertical Reedbed filtration system to manage the nutrient burden.
Dorset Triangle Habitat Restoration project
Microbee has recently taken on the restoration of an old allotment just off the line of the footpath that extends from the end of Sheridan Road, across Dorset Road and over the tramlines in Wimbledon SW19.
The site has largely been abandoned since the end of WW2 and faster growing weed species such as Bramble and Sycamore have largely out-competed the other existing species there such as elm, holly etc.
The intention is to make a large part of the land complementary to the aims of the Merton Park Green Walks Management Plan 1998. (The land is listed there as Parcel D). To achieve this, a number of sycamores have been cut down to provide light for other species over about two thirds of the site. They are being replaced with native species which have a more beneficial contribution to make to the ecology of the area. These will include a band of Hazel, Birch, Blackthorn, Hawthorn and Dog Rose inter-planted amongst the existing Elm and Holly seedlings and suckers. The existing trees along the lines of the old footpaths which border the site will not be touched as they do not form part of the property.
The existing trees will effectively act as a shelter belt for the new under storey shrubs which are being planted. In addition to the tree program, a 20 SqM pond has been constructed there. There isn't currently any year round source of free water for wildlife anywhere on the green walk and wildlife using it as a corridor must rely on nearby garden ponds if there are any. The new pond on the site already has tadpoles and damsel flies despite only being 5 months old. Only one of the 3 new Nest Boxes has attracted any occupants so far.
The site is being fenced and gated as per the original green walk plan to prevent disturbance to the wildlife area, children falling down the well and also vandalism on the plot.
New species planted include: Blackthorn, Beech, Box, Crab Apple, Dog Rose, Hawthorn, Alder, Hazel, Bird Cherry and Hornbeam.
The Willmore End Residents Association has been championing the new tennis courts next door and has had native species tree whips planted in the residual triangle of adjacent land making, in combination with the existing trees, a potentially larger area of woodland in years to come. Microbee is working with them pro bono in order to support this local community effort to enhance the green walk and nature reserve.
Tolworth Log Pile Study
Microbee has undertaken a scientific study of the relationship between tree species and the wildlife contribution of log piles.
The intention is to establish which species are the most beneficial in terms of the benefits conferred on wildlife by leaving piles of wood to rot.
This study, on a field in Tolworth, Surrey is ongoing and will take several years to complete but it is hoped to establish in a scientific way, the beneficial outcomes on a species basis.