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I preferred it as it was.
I suspect the hedgehogs and some of the songbirds did too. I'm trying to compensate for that by having two hedgehog houses and some nesting boxes for the birds, and a bird bath. And the new hedge was going to be privet (boring but sensible) but I've gone for a bird-friendly native hedge mix instead. The starlings certainly seem to like the new bark/mulch. I just wish the hedgehogs would stick to the hedgehog houses rather than going exploring in the garage. And sitting expectantly on the doormat outside the front door, waiting for me to step on them when I remember I've left the garage side door open and go to shut it.
Brommers-
One of the best things you can do for hedgehogs is make sure your boundary is permeable.
My neighbours recently replaced their fence and while the new one looks better and isn't likely to come down in a storm it also has concrete posts and gravel boards so hedgehogs have no chance to roam over the area they need :-(
jellybaby
I preferred it as it was.