Squirrel is delicious ! - The pretty red squirrel used to be a common sight in the UK, that was until the introduction of the much larger, non-native grey squirrel at the end of the 19th century. Today there are thought to be around 250,000 red squirrels left in the UK, compared with roughly 2.7 million greys.

Grey squirrels are now widely established and although many people enjoy their presence, they pose a real threat to our trees and wildlife in general. Here in the UK they seem endlessly active, even through the colder months. On still winter mornings it’s hard not to notice them moving busily through bare branches or darting across frosty lawns in search of food.

As a result their numbers are managed in many woodlands across the country. Organisations such as the Forestry Commission and private land managers carry out regular control to help limit their swelling population, but unfortunately far too much of the meat is wasted, which is a real shame, because it’s absolutely delicious.