If you add to these all of the canal embankments, railway cuttings and other bits of green space around the Borough, you can see why Sandwell looks so green from the air and why it supports a wide variety of wildlife. Wetlands are another type of habitat that can be found all over the Borough, in the form of lakes, ponds, streams and boggy areas, which attract resident and migratory wildfowl.

In winter goosanders can be seen on Swan Pool and the heronry on Ice House Lake is alive with activity from January onwards as the herons repair their nests ready for the breeding season in February.