I love Squirrels!

The number of gray squirrels in this area has reduced this year, don't know the reason for this, possibly du to all the trees that were planted several years ago being more mature now or there may be some pine martens moving into the area

It has been recorded in parts of Ireland where the pine marten have increased in numbers the grey squirrel numbers are decreasing and red squirrels increasing. 

With regards to eating grey squirrel I started thinking about the TV show and later the movie The Beverly Hillbillies, granny used to make possum pie, they looked similar to squirrel, I remember in the movie she stopped the truck and got out with a shovel and bucket to collect roadkill for her pie. Who knows anything goes.