The Taverner Cup

An annual "big day" birding competition in eastern Ontario and western Quebec

How to enter ——	Team sponsorship ——	Business sponsors ——	Count rules ——	Maps ——
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The Taverner Cup will not be run in 2005. However there are plans to revive it in a somewhat different format in 2006. Details to come later this year. If you are interested in more details please contact me after 18 April 2005.

Announcing 2004 results

What is the Taverner Cup? A big day (24-hour) birding competition.

Where does it take place? Eastern Ontario - Western Quebec, this large boundry gives birders many options! Please see our map.

How many birds can I expect to find? Under ideal conditions experienced birders feel that 200 species is a legitimate target.

When? Midnight to midnight, Saturday May 29, 2004

Where do I start? Wherever you want.

Where do I finish? The team captain must submit his/her signed checklist no later than midnight on Saturday May 29, 2004 at the Interpretative Centre of the Fletcher Wildlife Garden at the Experimental Farm in Ottawa. (Location map)

What is the purpose?
To promote awareness and the need to preserve the diversity of habitats for wildlife, including birds, in eastern Ontario and western Quebec
To offer a chance for birders to improve their skills by competing against other birders of various skill levels
To improve understanding of the distribution of migratory and breeding birds in eastern Ontario and western Quebec
To focus media attention on the sport of birding and encourage more people, especially young people, to take up birding as a hobby
To promote eastern Ontario and western Quebec as a tourist destination for people wishing to experience wildlife, including birds
To raise money for worthwhile environmental projects in eastern Ontario and western Quebec, including the Fletcher Wildlife Garden
To provide a memorable and fun social activity for the participants and other supporters of the event

Who may enter? Teams of birders can enter at two levels of competition:
Level 1: Competitive: Competitors who intend to compete for full 24 hourrs in an all-out effort to win; the Taverner Cup will be awarded. Teams must find a sponsor who will pay the $300 sponsor fee and your team's entry fee of $30 per team member. Competitive teams and their sponsors will receive more publicity and chances for prizes than the Level 2 participants.
Level 2: Recreation: Competitors who want to participate in this event but who don't want to find a sponsor or go out for 24 hours. Participant fee of $30 per team member. The winner of the recreation category will receive the Fothergill Trophy. The runner-up will win the Judith Wilks Memorial Trophy.

What are the rules? All teams will follow these basic rules; teams comprised of a miminum of 3, maximum of 6 observers; agree to comply fully with the Taverner Cup rules. (See rules)

Social? Teams can mix after the event and at the brunch which will be held the next day, Sunday May 30, 2004, where the trophies and prizes are awarded. We strongly urge you and all of your team to attend our brunch on Sunday morning. It's really the only time that you will get to meet and socialize with the other competitors. We also hope that you will share your experiences with us so that we can plan a better competition for susequent years.

Who benefits? The Taverner Cup competition is not intended to be only a serious birding event, it must also be a social and fun event that other less serious birders can participate in and enjoy.

Who is Taverner? Percy Taverner was an early curator of ornithology at what is now the Canadian Museum of Nature.

How do I enter? For entry forms and an information package, please contact: Jeff Harrison at 150 Wolseley Ave. N., Montreal West, P.Q., H4X 1VP; Tel: (514) 486-4943; Fax: (514) 487-8580;
E-mail: dha@videotron.ca
Please fill in your entry form and get each member of your team to sign the waiver form on the back. Return the entry form to me, with your cheque, made payable to the Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club, no later than May 15, 2004. If you are considering entering the competitive category and need more information please let me know.

What do I get
in my package? Entrants will receive a fact sheet, entry forms, rules, two species lists, sponsorship brochures, a boundary map, directions to the Fletcher Wildlife Garden and the banquet room.
Please read all of the information to familiarize yourself with the objectives and the rules etc. For further information, please contact Jeff Harrison, Taverner Cup Coordinator by phone, fax or e-mail.

What about the
Baillie? You can use the Taverner Cup as your Baillie Birdathon event. You just need to enter the Taverner competition and follow Taverner rules.

We all look forward to a fun event! Good birding! Hope to see you soon. If you have any questions please contact me.

Last updated: 4 April 2005

What is the Taverner Cup?	A big day (24-hour) birding competition.
Where does it take place?	Eastern Ontario - Western Quebec, this large boundry gives birders many options! Please see our map.
How many birds can I expect to find?	Under ideal conditions experienced birders feel that 200 species is a legitimate target.
When?	Midnight to midnight, Saturday May 29, 2004
Where do I start?	Wherever you want.
Where do I finish?	The team captain must submit his/her signed checklist no later than midnight on Saturday May 29, 2004 at the Interpretative Centre of the Fletcher Wildlife Garden at the Experimental Farm in Ottawa. (Location map)
What is the purpose?	To promote awareness and the need to preserve the diversity of habitats for wildlife, including birds, in eastern Ontario and western Quebec To offer a chance for birders to improve their skills by competing against other birders of various skill levels To improve understanding of the distribution of migratory and breeding birds in eastern Ontario and western Quebec To focus media attention on the sport of birding and encourage more people, especially young people, to take up birding as a hobby To promote eastern Ontario and western Quebec as a tourist destination for people wishing to experience wildlife, including birds To raise money for worthwhile environmental projects in eastern Ontario and western Quebec, including the Fletcher Wildlife Garden To provide a memorable and fun social activity for the participants and other supporters of the event
Who may enter?	Teams of birders can enter at two levels of competition: Level 1: Competitive: Competitors who intend to compete for full 24 hourrs in an all-out effort to win; the Taverner Cup will be awarded. Teams must find a sponsor who will pay the $300 sponsor fee and your team's entry fee of $30 per team member. Competitive teams and their sponsors will receive more publicity and chances for prizes than the Level 2 participants. Level 2: Recreation: Competitors who want to participate in this event but who don't want to find a sponsor or go out for 24 hours. Participant fee of $30 per team member. The winner of the recreation category will receive the Fothergill Trophy. The runner-up will win the Judith Wilks Memorial Trophy.
What are the rules?	All teams will follow these basic rules; teams comprised of a miminum of 3, maximum of 6 observers; agree to comply fully with the Taverner Cup rules. (See rules)
Social?	Teams can mix after the event and at the brunch which will be held the next day, Sunday May 30, 2004, where the trophies and prizes are awarded. We strongly urge you and all of your team to attend our brunch on Sunday morning. It's really the only time that you will get to meet and socialize with the other competitors. We also hope that you will share your experiences with us so that we can plan a better competition for susequent years.
Who benefits?	The Taverner Cup competition is not intended to be only a serious birding event, it must also be a social and fun event that other less serious birders can participate in and enjoy.
Who is Taverner?	Percy Taverner was an early curator of ornithology at what is now the Canadian Museum of Nature.
How do I enter?	For entry forms and an information package, please contact: Jeff Harrison at 150 Wolseley Ave. N., Montreal West, P.Q., H4X 1VP; Tel: (514) 486-4943; Fax: (514) 487-8580; E-mail: dha@videotron.ca Please fill in your entry form and get each member of your team to sign the waiver form on the back. Return the entry form to me, with your cheque, made payable to the Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club, no later than May 15, 2004. If you are considering entering the competitive category and need more information please let me know.
What do I get in my package?	Entrants will receive a fact sheet, entry forms, rules, two species lists, sponsorship brochures, a boundary map, directions to the Fletcher Wildlife Garden and the banquet room. Please read all of the information to familiarize yourself with the objectives and the rules etc. For further information, please contact Jeff Harrison, Taverner Cup Coordinator by phone, fax or e-mail.
What about the Baillie?	You can use the Taverner Cup as your Baillie Birdathon event. You just need to enter the Taverner competition and follow Taverner rules.