Kevin Parr
Writer, fisherman and amateur naturalist
Kevin Parr is a writer, fisherman and amateur naturalist who lives in West Dorset with his wife and a colony of grass snakes. He is the angling correspondent for The Idler magazine. His books include Rivers Run: An Angler’s Journey from Source to Sea (Rider Books).
Recent articles by Kevin Parr
Holly tree guide: what it looks like, berries and folklore
Learn all about the leaf, berries and folklore of one of Britain's most festive tree species with our beginner's guide to holly.
10 weird animals that call the British Isles home
Uncover the animal kingdom's hidden wonders
10 of the most colourful animals in the UK: A dazzling rainbow of wildlife to spot
Explore the UK's hidden gems boasting nature's most stunning colour palettes.
Britain's most endangered animal species: Discover the rarest creatures in the UK
Some once-common native species are disappearing from the British countryside – our guide looks at 17 of the most endangered animal species in the UK that have suffered acute declines in recent years.
"I survived Lyme Disease!"
All you need to know about this tick-borne disease from a man who contracted, diagnosed and survived it – Kevin Parr
Slow worm: diet, habitat, identification and distribution
In this BBC Countryfile Magazine guide, we delve into the secretive life of the slow worm, revealing information on how to identify them, where they live in the UK and what they eat.
British trees: common types and how to identify them
Can you spot an oak from a horse chestnut tree, or an birch from a hazel? Learn how to identify common tree species in the UK with our expert guide on British trees.
Hawthorn tree guide: berry, blossom and why it's called the May tree
Learn all about the hawthorn tree, including what its leaves, blossom and berries look like, and why it is referred to as the May tree.
Common lime tree: petals, leaves, caterpillars and symbolism
Learn all about one of Britain's most spectacular tree species with our beginner's guide to common lime trees.
Hazel tree guide: catkins, nuts and coppicing
Learn all about one of Britain's most important tree species with our beginner's guide to hazel trees.
Elder tree guide: flowers, leaves and its power to ward off evil spirits
Elder trees are famous for their elderflowers and elderberries, but did you know they were once used to ward off evil spirits?
Silver birch guide: the "most beautiful of forest trees – the Lady of the woods"
Learn all about the silver birch, including what its leaves and bark look like, its relationship with fungi and the unusual folklore associated with the tree.
Beech tree guide: leaves, seeds and how to identify
Learn all about one of Britain's most adored tree species with our beginner's guide to beech trees.
Horse chestnut tree: what its leaves look like, when it flowers and when conkers appear
Learn all about the leaf, flower and conker of one of Britain's favourite tree species with our beginner's guide to horse chestnut trees.
Deer culling in Britain: what's the problem and why are deer culled?
The UK's deer population is believed to be at its highest level for 1,000 years, which may be having severe negative impacts on wildlife and crops. In some areas, deer numbers are culled. Here is our expert guide to deer culling, including why and where it is done and the species of deer found in the UK.
Woodland flowers: 12 enchanting species to spot
As winter gives way to spring, Britain's forest floors burst into life with a blanket of wildflowers, from snowdrops and wild garlic to bluebells and primroses. BBC Countryfile Magazine reveals 12 magical woodland flowers to look out for on your next walk...
Umbellifer guide: common UK species and how to identify them
What is an umbellifer? What is the difference between cow parsley and hemlock? Is giant hogweed dangerous? Find out the answers to all these questions and more with our guide to umbellifers, including how to identify cow parsley, hogweed, giant hogweed, wild carrot, ground elder and hemlock.
Hogweed guide: what does it look like and is it dangerous?
What is hogweed, when does it flower, what do its flowers look like and how is it different from its poisonous relative giant hogweed? Find out all this and more with our guide to this summer-flowering member of the umbellifer family
Wild carrot guide: seeds, flowers and leaves
Learn all about the seeds, flowers and leaves of wild carrot with our guide to this delicate member of the umbellifer family
Giant hogweed guide: how to identify it and how it causes burns
What is giant hogweed, what do its flowers and leaves look like and is it poisonous? Find out all this and more with our guide to this enormous member of the umbellifer family
Ground elder guide: how to identify, foraging and uses
What is ground elder, why do gardeners consider it a weed, what do its flowers and leaves look like and what are its uses? Find out all this and more with our guide to this spring and summer-flowering member of the umbellifer family
Hemlock guide: how to identify it and what makes is so poisonous
What is hemlock, what makes it so poisonous, and how do you identify it? Find out all this and more with our guide to this highly toxic member of the umbellifer family
Cow parsley guide: leaves, flowers and seeds
What is cow parsley, when does it flower, what do its leaves look like, is it poisonous and how does it differ from hemlock? Find out all this and more with our guide to this delicate member of the umbellifer family
Smooth snake: diet, habitat, identification and distribution
In this BBC Countryfile Magazine guide, we explore the quiet life of the smooth snake, revealing information on what they look like, how big they are, where they live and what they eat.