The image, taken by Lara Hunter, shows swans navigating rubbish, including plastic bottles, in Diglis Canal in Worcester, sparking sadness from both the RSPB and Worcestershire Wildlife Trust.
“Look at the state of the water – it’s toxic,” said Lara Hunter, who captured this image.
Steve Bloomfield, head of conservation at Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, said: “We’re really disappointed to see this but, sadly, it’s something that we’re seeing more of.
“The terrible state of our waterways is increasingly apparent to most people but litter like this is an ever-worsening problem for nature and for us.
“Whether wildlife gets tangled up in it on land, mistakes it for food at sea or it breaks down into microplastics that affects every living creature, the result is always bad for our natural world.
“We may be a landlocked county but this picture clearly shows the impact we can have globally – what we drop on the land ends up in canals, rivers and ultimately our seas.
“It is more essential now, than ever before, that we all start to make positive changes by reducing our reliance on single-use plastics, removing litter where we can and disposing of waste responsibly.”
An RSPB spokesperson said: “We’re saddened to see the amount of rubbish in nature and our wildlife trying to cope with it.
“At a time when our wildlife is suffering declines, it’s important for all of us to look after our environment and natural spaces.
“Avoiding littering, making sure bin lids are closed and managing waste properly are all essential steps.
“We hope the local authorities and the Environment Agency can continue looking into pollution issues.
“If anyone sees any injured wildlife or animals in distress, please contact a rescue centre such as those listed on www.helpwildlife.co.uk or the RSPCA.”