Finding food is driving the squirrels nuts!

Grey squirrels were introduced to the UK in the late 1800s, brought in from America as exotic additions to parks. They spread rapidly and are probably responsible for the decline of the native red squirrel as they compete more effectively for food. Still, they have now become an accepted part of the rich variety of garden wildlife - apart from their tendency to 'steal' bird food.

There is good reason to show a little compassion, however. Last autumn, squirrels buried numerous nuts and seeds as a food store for leaner times. These stores have now been recovered and yet there are few ripe nuts and seeds around. They are literally starving and many die.

Nut-only diets can lead to vitamin and mineral deficiencies, so if you want to feed squirrels, offer a mix of foods including unsalted peanuts, pine nuts, sunflower seeds, carrots, apples and sweet corn.