Best Time to See Dragonflies in Alabama
June, May and July is the best time to see dragonflies in Alabama. Based on 23,239 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when dragonflies are most active across the year in Alabama.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
23,239 verified observations of dragonflies in Alabama, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dragonflies are recorded in Alabama
Peak month
June
4,541 records (19.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 53 | 0.2% |
| February | 132 | 0.6% |
| March | 1,004 | 4.3% |
| April | 2,367 | 10.2% |
| Maypeak | 3,696 | 15.9% |
| Junepeak | 4,541 | 19.5% |
| Julypeak | 3,546 | 15.3% |
| August | 3,319 | 14.3% |
| September | 3,103 | 13.4% |
| October | 1,176 | 5.1% |
| November | 260 | 1.1% |
| December | 42 | 0.2% |
Dragonflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Eastern Pondhawk | 2,323 |
| Blue Dasher | 1,878 |
| Common Whitetail | 1,549 |
| Ebony Jewelwing | 1,092 |
| Slaty Skimmer | 927 |
| Widow Skimmer | 782 |
| Great Blue Skimmer | 656 |
| Fragile Forktail | 633 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Alabama
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when dragonflies are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for dragonflies sit around 62 to 91 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 57°F | 40°F | 5.4" |
| Feb | 63°F | 45°F | 6.3" |
| Mar | 69°F | 50°F | 6" |
| Apr | 75°F | 54°F | 4.9" |
| Maybest time | 83°F | 62°F | 3.8" |
| Junbest time | 88°F | 70°F | 5.8" |
| Julbest time | 91°F | 73°F | 4.5" |
| Aug | 91°F | 73°F | 4.4" |
| Sep | 87°F | 68°F | 3.1" |
| Oct | 76°F | 58°F | 3.9" |
| Nov | 65°F | 47°F | 3.2" |
| Dec | 60°F | 44°F | 4.8" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Alabama. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of dragonflies in Alabama peak in June, when 4,541 of the year's 23,239 verified observations are logged — about 19.5% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, May and July.
The quietest stretch is December and January, when dragonflies are hardest to find — December sees just 42 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The dragonflies you are most likely to encounter in Alabama are Eastern Pondhawk, Blue Dasher and Common Whitetail — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see dragonflies in Alabama
- Horseshoe Bend National Military Park — National Military Park
- Little River Canyon National Preserve — National Preserve
- Natchez Trace Parkway — Parkway
- Russell Cave National Monument — National Monument
- Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument — National Monument
- Freedom Riders National Monument — National Monument
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see dragonflies in Alabama?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, May and July, based on 23,239 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are dragonflies hardest to see in Alabama?+
December is the quietest month for dragonflies in Alabama, with only 42 verified records.
Are dragonflies active year-round in Alabama?+
Dragonflies are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Alabama, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in June.
More places to see dragonflies
More wildlife in Alabama