Many have asked, "Just who are the OLBGs? Are they a bird club committee? What is their purpose? How was the group formed?" This being the OLBGs' tenth year of existence and the accomplishment of their mission, a long term record of the cemetery bird population, it seems like time to clarify the objectives of the group.

The name of the group, OLBG, stands for Old Ladies Birding Group, which is a group of ladies who found an opportunity to continue their favorite activity with less stress. It provided the enjoyment of birding without the required fortitude and speed of longer distance walks, many times over rough terrain.

Ten years ago Jane White contacted Myriam and Gene Moore and Virginia Delaney inviting them to compile a bird list to be included in the Old City Cemetery Horticulture Guide--the guide providing cemetery visitors information of the natural features to be observed and enjoyed in the Old City Cemetery. Gene and Virginia were members of the Lynchburg Bird Club's "Christmas and Breeding Bird Counts" that surveyed the cemetery. These records, knowledge of the habitat, and Lynchburg Bird Club's annotated checklist of The Birds of Virginia were helpful in compiling the list.

It then seemed cemetery bird records should be kept over a long period, so that accurate listings and natural habitat changes would be reflected in the record of the cemetery bird population. The project was discussed with friends. Soon Gene and Virginia were joined by others, and thus the informal OLBG was formed. The only requirement for a group member is to be willing to drop everything with short notice and spend part of a week day morning birding at the cemetery. Over time, Margaret Wenning, Cinda Hurt, Phyllis Jones and Jo Wood became full time birders along with Gene and Virginia. They are sometimes joined by others who are welcome.

In the summer of 2003, a new species list was prepared for the Old City Cemetery web site. This list of updated bird species can be found at www.gravegarden.org/birds.htm. Listed are all species observed by the group since 1994 to date. It is possible, even likely, visitors may find a species not on the list, such as a migrating warbler.

The year 2003 had many interesting special moments for the birders. The winter months were cold, snowy and generally disagreeable. Cinda Hurt and Virginia Delaney each managed on a very cold February first to put up two new bluebird boxes replacing older non-functional boxes. However, the credit goes to the husbands who really put the boxes up. While there, the Delaney's followed rabbit tracks in the snow to find a spot where an owl or hawk had breakfast. There were large wing imprints and smeared blood in the snow.

On an early February day, bluebirds were seen inspecting the boxes for nesting sites. By late March, bluebirds were at one of the older boxes. On the back side of the Old Brick Wall an old American elm was loaded with yellow-rumped warblers and juncos. All were flitting from branch to branch, eating seeds and making it impossible to get an accurate count. The brown thrasher was announcing his spring return with a loud song repertoire. Although he did not show us his rusty cap, the chipping sparrow declared his presence with a rapid chipping trill. A few days later, Jo Wood discovered a red-bellied woodpecker nesting forty feet up in an old tree in the Confederate Section of the cemetery.

A mid-April walk found tree swallows claiming a new bluebird box as their home. A partial tree swallow nest was found in an older box. A bluebird pair had chosen a box down the hill and a female was seen carrying a stick to the box. The mid May walk found two pair of tree swallows nesting in bluebird boxes. Tree swallows are cavity nesters and with the loss of many natural woodland sites, they are taking advantage of bluebird boxes. We enjoyed observing the beauty of their glossy green backs and sparkling white breasts. They are not neat nesters like the bluebirds, which was apparent as Cinda Hurt, housekeeper for the birds, cleaned the boxes.

This year one new species was added to the cemetery bird list, the great crested flycatcher. This flycatcher is more colorful than other flycatchers. He usually stays in tree tops, but is often found by his call, a loud wheeeep or a burry preeet. On one early fall walk an unusual mushroom was discovered. It was folded, wrinkled, irregularly shaped, and dark brown. It looked like a brain and none could identify the mushroom. A little research identified it as a False Morel - Gryromitra Esculenta. The pond and butterfly garden are added attractions--a place to relax and enjoy frogs croaking in the pond, butterflies on the flowering plants, and the occasional bird flying overhead or perched in a tree.

Now that the long time record of bird species found in the Old City Cemetery has been made, the OLBGs will still be seen from time to time just enjoying nature's wonders in the cemetery. We thank Jane White and Staff, the Southern Memorial Association and the City of Lynchburg for this lovely nature and historical cemetery park the public enjoys.

Reported by Virginia D. Delaney, Lynchburg Bird Club
January 23, 2004

The OLBG--Ten Years Old
June 2003