Waterfowl Roosting Areas Layer

What are Waterfowl Roosting Areas?

Waterfowl Roosting Areas show you where ducks and geese are settling in at dawn—before they head out to feed or migrate. Think of it as a real-time heatmap of overnight bird concentrations, based on where waterfowl choose to roost for safety, warmth, and visibility. By identifying these high-activity areas, FowlTracker helps you plan your hunts more effectively—whether you're setting up on a flight line or scouting nearby feed fields.

How Does the Model Work?

FowlTracker uses a machine learning roost prediction model that analyzes radar data, weather conditions, and habitat features to estimate where birds are roosting each morning. Areas with higher bird concentrations will show up in more intense colors, while areas with low or no waterfowl activity appear in lighter shades.

Example of Waterfowl Roosting Map

How to Interpret the Data

The Waterfowl Roosting Map uses a gradient color scale to indicate estimated concentrations of roosting birds. Darker, more intense colors represent areas with higher roosting activity, while lighter colors indicate low or no bird presence.

Color Legend:

  • Extreme – Major roost site with dense flocks (prime hunting sign)
  • Very High – Heavy roosting activity (strong bird presence)
  • High – Consistent roost use (active flocks nearby)
  • Moderate – Noticeable roosting (good local activity)
  • Light – Scattered roosting (few birds holding in area)

How to Use the Layer

The Waterfowl Roosting Areas layer is enabled by default when you load FowlTracker. You can toggle it on and off using the control in the top-right corner of the map.

💡 Pro Tip:

Use the date picker to analyze roosting patterns on different days. This helps you identify consistent roosting areas and understand how weather conditions affect bird behavior.

Best Practices for Hunt Planning

  • Look for Extreme and Very High areas - These represent your best hunting opportunities
  • Check multiple dates - Consistent activity in an area indicates a reliable roosting site
  • Consider the terrain - Birds often roost in protected areas near water
  • Plan your approach - Set up between roosting areas and feeding grounds for optimal hunting
  • Monitor weather patterns - Cold fronts and storms can concentrate birds in specific areas

Data Availability

Waterfowl roosting data is available for dates from November through March, covering the peak waterfowl hunting seasons. Data is typically updated daily during the season, giving you the most current information for your hunting plans.

Note: The availability of data may vary depending on weather conditions and technical factors. Some dates may not have complete coverage.