A finnstick is the name given by

birdwatchers Birdwatching, or birding, is the observing of birds, either as a recreational activity or as a form of citizen science. A birdwatcher may observe by using their naked eye, by using a visual enhancement device like binoculars or a telescope, by ...

to a stick used to support a

binoculars Binoculars or field glasses are two refracting telescopes mounted side-by-side and aligned to point in the same direction, allowing the viewer to use both eyes (binocular vision) when viewing distant objects. Most binoculars are sized to be held ...

. The one end of the stick is steadily attached to the binocular while the other end rests against the belly. Finnsticks help to keep the binoculars steady especially when they are used for a prolonged time. In addition to keeping the image steady which allows for finer details of the object to be discerned, the use of the stick reduces muscle strain thus enabling longer viewing with less sore muscles afterwards. Some birdwatchers feel that the use of a finnstick does not markedly improve the viewer's ability to resolve detail, but rather improves viewing comfort and prevents premature fatigue. The finnstick is especially useful when watching

migration Migration, migratory, or migrate may refer to: Human migration * Human migration, physical movement by humans from one region to another ** International migration, when peoples cross state boundaries and stay in the host state for some minimum le ...

(e.g.

seabirds Seabirds (also known as marine birds) are birds that are adaptation, adapted to life within the marine (ocean), marine environment. While seabirds vary greatly in lifestyle, behaviour and physiology, they often exhibit striking convergent ev ...

raptor Raptor or RAPTOR may refer to: Animals The word "raptor" refers to several groups of bird-like dinosaurs which primarily capture and subdue/kill prey with their talons. * Raptor (bird) or bird of prey, a bird that primarily hunts and feeds on v ...

s) when the horizon may be scanned literally for hours to find migrant birds. As the name implies the stick was invented by the

Finns Finns or Finnish people ( fi, suomalaiset, ) are a Baltic Finnic ethnic group native to Finland. Finns are traditionally divided into smaller regional groups that span several countries adjacent to Finland, both those who are native to these ...

but is now also used in other countries, mainly in Europe. Alternative strategies for steadying the binoculars include supporting the arms against the body. Some birdwatchers have extended the idea by using a telescoping stick either as a finnstick or a

monopod A monopod, also called a unipod, is a single staff or pole used to help support cameras, binoculars, rifles or other precision instruments in the field. Camera and imaging use The monopod allows a still camera to be held steadier, allowing th ...

, depending on the situation.

Manufacture

A simple finnstick can be made from a piece of wood such as an old

hockey stick A hockey stick is a piece of sports equipment used by the players in all the forms of hockey to move the ball or puck (as appropriate to the type of hockey) either to push, pull, hit, strike, flick, steer, launch or stop the ball/ puck during pla ...

, or from the leg of an old tripod. The upper end of the stick needs to be adjusted to each binocular model. In the cold Finnish climate it is common to cover finnsticks made of metal with an insulator to keep the hands warmer. Finnsticks are also commercially available and some binocular manufacturers provide an attachment for a finnstick (or a monopod) as an accessory.

References

*Collins, Walter S., 1993: "The Finnstick". ''Birding'' 25:264 *Mikkola, Karno, 1996: Seipiö. ''Alula'' 2: 36 (in Finnish) Ornithological equipment and methods