Whistling in the Dark In Pursuit of the Nightingale

For thousands of years, the nightingale has been the most celebrated songbird in history. From Ovid to Shakespeare, Shelley to Keats, its exquisite song has inspired poets and playwrights, symbolising the enduring power of nature and love. But why have humans always fallen under its spell? Nightingales have acquired a newly high profile in recent years, driven by revelations about their population collapse and a renewed interest in their cultural history. Each May, radio programmes now broadcast live songs and readings from the woods of southern England.