2002 Taverner Cup - Count Rules

The following rules outline the standards and practices under which all Taverner Cup participants are expected to comply. ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST BE FAMILIAR WITH AND WILLING TO COMPLY WITH ALL OF THE RULES IN ORDER TO COMPETE IN THE TAVERNER CUP.

1. Counting

1.1 Count only full species as indicated by the current AOU checklist.

1.2 Birds MUST be conclusively identified by sight or sound. A bird identified as to one of a genus (i.e. eitherSharp-shin or Cooper's hawk) may be counted as an accipiter species if neither appears on your list. Example: Accipiter sp. counts as one bird but Cooper's hawk AND Accipiter species will count as only one bird.

1.3 Introduced or reintroduced species may be counted providing they appear on the AOU checklist and/or have been established within the boundaries of eastern Ontario or western Quebec FOR A MINIMUM OF TEN YEARS. For example, the wild turkey has been established in the Belleville area for more than ten years, whereas reintroductions in the Rideau Lakes are more recent. In this case all birds, regardless of location, are eligible to be counted. Trumpeter Swan recovery programs have been in existence for many years. Early FON efforts involved putting Trumpeter eggs in with the eggs of ferile Mute Swans. In recent years captive breeding programs have been developed in parts of Ontario, New York State and elsewhere. It is understood that these latest recovery efforts were responsible for Trumpeters breeding for the first time in the Rideau Lakes in 1997. They were successful again in 2001. Because of the ten year rule, Trumpeter Swans cannot be counted on the Taverner Cup this year.

1.4 Birds held in captivity and released for the summer such as Ottawa's Mute and Black Swans are not "wild" birds and are not to be counted. Mute Swans in other jurisdictions, known to be feral birds, can be counted.

1.5 Birds counted must be live, wild, and unrestrained. Sick or injured birds may be counted. Eggs do not count as birds.

1.6 Electronic or recorded bird calls may NOT be used to attract birds, to entice them to vocalize or used while teams are actively birding. CD's and tapes may only be used as a reference and to assist identification when teams are travelling between destinations.

It is unlikely that all members of a given team will see all the birds they report. That is why the 95% rule was invented. Here is our interpretation as explained by Pete Dunne of the World Series of Birding.

95% of all birds recorded by a team must be tallied by ALL members of the team. For every 20 birds recorded, a team may count one bird that was not heard or seen by the whole team, but that was at least recorded (heard or seen) by 2 members of the team.

To calculate the 95% rule, do the following:

Step 1: Put down the total number of birds recorded by ALL of the members of the team. This is your TOTAL SPECIES RECORDED
Step 2: Multiply that number by 0.05; this is the number of eligible birds that could be added under the 95% rule.
Step 3: Record the number of birds that at least 2 team members recorded, but not all team members
Step 4: Compare the number you calculated in Step 2 with the number of birds recorded on Step 3
If the number you calculated in Step 2 is greater than the number recorded in Step 3, your OFFICIAL TOTAL for the day is calculated by adding the Step 1 and Step 3 totals.
If the number in Step 3 is greater than Step 2, then your OFFICIAL TOTAL for the day is calculated by adding Step 1 and Step 2 totals.

1.8 It is not necessary for all team members to record the same individual bird.

2. Time
2.1 All counting must begin midnight and midnight of the day of the Taverner Cup day - twenty-four hours.
2.2 Teams must file their checklists at the finish line no later than midnight.

3. Geographical Area
3.1 Only birds recorded within the eastern Ontario-western Quebec boundry may be counted.
3..2 Teams may begin their route wherever they like, but must finish at the Interpretive Centre of the Fletcher Wildlife Garden in Ottawa.
3.3 A team may exit from the eastern Ontario-western Quebec boundry for the convenience or expedience, but no birds may be counted while a team is outside the defined boundries.
3.4 Birds seen on Lake Ontario may be counted provided the observers are standing or observing (e.g. in a boat) from the Ontario side of the Lake.
3.5 Birds seen on the St. Lawrence River or at the Quebec/New York boundry (even if they are physically across the border in New York State) may be counted providing the observers are standing within the boundries or short of midpoint on any bridge which transects the boundry.

4. Modes of Travel
4.1 All participants must travel in the same vehicle; any vehicle except an aircraft or an ATV may be used.
4.2 Team members must remain within distances which permit direct, unamplified, voice contact at all times. Voice contact is defined as shouting distance.
4.3 TEAM MEMBERS ARE REMINDED THAT TRAFFIC RULES MUST BE OBEYED AND COMMON SENSE USED WHILE DRIVING AND BIRDING ON PUBLIC ROADS AT ALL TIMES!

5. Participants
5.1 Teams must be composed of a minimum of three and a maximum six observers.
5.2 Any number of non-participants may attend the team, but these may not assist the team in any way in the location or identification of birds. A designated driver who is not a team member is permitted, providing he/she does not assist in the location or identification of birds.

6. Entry Categories and Resident Status
6.1 Teams may enter in either Level 1 (Competitive) or Level 2 (Recreation) categories; both are subject to the same rules.
6.2 There will be no distinctions regarding residency.

7. Conduct and Ethics
7.1 Team members must always remain within voice contact of all other members.
7.2 Team members must count only birds personally and unquestionably identified.
7.3 Team members must be familiar with Taverner Cup rules before the event.
7.4 No team may intentionally flush or drive into hiding any bird to prevent another team from finding it.
7.5 Each participant should strive to maintain proper birding ethics at all times.

8. Sources of Birding Information
8.1 DURING the competition, teams must make every reasonable effort to avoid receiving bird finding help from other sources. Phone, radio contact, and prearranged field encounters (ecept encounters whose purpose is to gain access or entry to private or restricted areas) are NOT permitted. EXCEPTION: At any location where bird sighting lists are regularily found (e.g. Presqu'ile Provincial Park), they may be accessed, providing that the information on these lists has not been prearranged.
8.2 Participants may not travel or walk any substancial distance with non-participants except with companions as provided in Rule 5.2. When other birders are encountered accidentially, participants may not solicit bird finding innformation and should avoid receiving any information from them. If, despite al precautions, information is received during an accidental encounter, the team may use it.
8.3 Any information received prior to the count may be use during the count.
8.4 The ethic of sharing the sighting of an uncommon or rare bird is fundamental to the spirit of birding. Organizers of the Taverner Cup have no desire to compromise it. If, therefore, a team knows of the existence or whereabouts of an exceptionally desirable bird and encounters another team, they may inquire of the other team whether they wish details on this particular bird. If so, than Rule 8.1 is waived for this specific bird BUT, if seen by the other team, this bird cannot be counted in their official total.

9. Submission of Checklists
9.1 Allteams must submit their checklists in person to officials at the finish line between 10:00 p.m. and midnight of the Taverner Cup day.
9.2 Teams that fail to meet the midnight deadline will forfeit one bird from their official total for every five-minute period that they are late.

10. Checklist Totals and Ties
10.1 Make sure that you double-check your Checklist to verify that all birds recorded have been checked off. Totals are considered final when submitted. NO ALTERATIONS OR CORRECTIONS MAY BE MADE AFTER CHECKLISTS HAVE BEEN TURNED OVER TO OFFICIALS.
10.2 In the event of a tie, the place will be shared.

11. Rule Infractions
11.1 A team which, in the course of the event, observes what it perceives to be an infraction of Taverner Cup rules by another team may file a written protest to the OFNC within three days of the competition day. Note: For this year, in the spirit of the evolving nature of the competition, we cannot accept written protests, so Rule 11 Infractions are waved.
11.2 A review panel, drawn from Taverner Cup participants, and the OFNC governing Council, will consider the changes. Because of time considerations, a potential rule infraction may not affect team standngs at the brunch; however the panel is empowered to disqualify a team within two weeks of the competition, if evidence warrants. Not applicable for this year.
11.3 The decision of the review panel is considered final. Not applicable for this year.

12. Eligibility and Fees
12.1 The Taverner Cup competition is open to any birders of good character regardless of place of residence.
Level I: Competitive
12.2 Entries in the Level I Competitive Category must secure sponsorship of one of the following:

A birding club;
The Canadian Nature Federation, the Federation of Ontario Naturalists or any of their member clubs or equivalents;
A state Audubon society or chapter;
A not-for-profit organization with a focus on the environment;
A business of enterprise that caters directly to the birding market.
12.3 All competitive team members must pay an entry fee of $30.00 per team member to a maximum of $180.00.
12.4 Competitive teams may secure sponsors or co-sponsors to offset the costs to clubs and organizations. All corporate sponsors must make a mandatory $300.00 contribution to the Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club (in addition to the team's entry fee). Teams who secure the sponsorship of a business or corporation which does not meet the business definition as described in 12.2.5, can still enter as long as they have co-sponsorship from a non-profit or business as defined in Section 12.2.1 through 12.2.5.
Level II: Recreation
12.5 Teams that enter the recreation category do not require a sponsor.
12.6 All recreational team members must pay an entry fee of $30 per team member to a maximum of $180.00
Level I and Level II Categories
12.7 All payments must be received by May 8.
12.8 All participants (team members and those accompanying teams, i.e. designated drivers) must sign, date and submit the Waiver Form on the back of their Entry Form. Individuals who fail to comply have no standing as participants and their team faces disqualification.
Baillie Birdathon
12.9 Taverner entrants can do their Baillie Birdathon at the same time as participating in the Taverner Cup. Participants must enter under the same conditions i.e. Level I or Level II, and agree to following the Taverner Rules. In the spirit of the Taverner competition, we would suggest that Baillie participants who live in the Ottawa-Carleton region, and compete in the Taverner, should dedicate their discretionary 25% contribution to the Fletcher Wildlife Garden. Out of town participants are free to choose their own benediciary.