The class system is rife whenever we describe nature

I’m frequently baffled by the birdsong people appreciate. I hear people using words like mellifluous to describe the song of the Blackcap, or even “cheery, fruity, liquid song”. Disjointed, I’d say. Then there are people who describe the Nightingale’s song as “rich, melodic, and complex, filled with a variety of liquid, bubbly, and whistled notes”. Irregular, I’d say.

The problem with descriptions of nature in England is that they are subject to the class system and the people who describe nature are overwhelmingly upper middle-class and Oxbridge educated people who claim to have some special affinity with the natural world and a self-proclaimed gift to describe it.

Their views are probably just as pretentious as descriptions of wine. Describing a wine by saying ‘its finish is like the swish of a foxes tail, disappearing through the bushes’ is very creative but ultimately nonsensical.

“It’s a naive domestic Burgundy without any breeding, but I think you’ll be amused by its presumption.” – James Thurber

Enjoy the wine you enjoy, whether someone middle-class says you should or not. The greatest songs of songbirds in the UK are the Robin and the Blackbird. Enjoy the birdsong you enjoy, whether someone middle-class says you should or not.

On that note, Song Thrushes have an annoying, repetitive, mechanical series of what would probably better be called calls if other people didn’t think that was the wrong word to use. Here’s what Google’s AI Overview says:

The Song Thrush’s song is characterized by its repetition of short phrases, which some people find monotonous. However, others appreciate its powerful, flutelike quality and variety of notes. 

The class system is rife whenever we describe nature. What do I mean? Have a look at these examples:

“A silvery, crystal song that becomes more wistful during the winter months.” – The Woodland Trust article describing a Robin’s song.

“The Nightingale has a remarkable ability to create tension, often drawing you into its phrases with a procession of high-pitched ‘whining’ or ‘piping’ notes.” – The Sussex Wildlife Trust describing the Nightingale

These descriptions have nothing to do with the bird, but everything to do with how the writer wishes you to appreciate the superiority of their emotional life. Nature is just as beautiful to everyone, whatever your social class.

Here’s an adult male Blackbird: