Dragonflies in California in September
Yes, September is a good month to see dragonflies in California. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 17,526 of the 145,175 sightings logged across the year (12.1%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Good month for dragonflies in California
12.1%
of yearly sightings
17,526
records in September
#5
busiest month of 12
145,175
verified records a year
August 14.7%, September 12.1%, October 5.3%. Busiest month is July at 19.3%.
145,175 verified observations of dragonflies in California, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dragonflies are recorded in California
Peak month
July
28,058 records (19.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 863 | 0.6% |
| February | 1,212 | 0.8% |
| March | 4,028 | 2.8% |
| April | 13,952 | 9.6% |
| May | 20,004 | 13.8% |
| Junepeak | 26,944 | 18.6% |
| Julypeak | 28,058 | 19.3% |
| Augustpeak | 21,324 | 14.7% |
| September | 17,526 | 12.1% |
| October | 7,721 | 5.3% |
| November | 2,518 | 1.7% |
| December | 1,025 | 0.7% |
Dragonflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Vivid Dancer | 17,186 |
| Flame Skimmer | 12,314 |
| Variegated Meadowhawk | 11,397 |
| Pacific Forktail | 6,833 |
| Blue Dasher | 6,665 |
| Common Green Darner | 5,809 |
| Blue-eyed Darner | 5,129 |
| Cardinal Meadowhawk | 3,513 |
In California, September carries 12.1% of the year's dragonflies sightings, about 3.8 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from August (14.7%) into September, and it heads toward October (5.3%) after. The busiest month is July (19.3%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The dragonflies most often recorded in California are Vivid Dancer, Flame Skimmer and Variegated Meadowhawk. Those counts are annual totals rather than a September split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in September itself.
Which dragonflies you are most likely to see
- Vivid Dancer17,186 records
- Flame Skimmer12,314 records
- Variegated Meadowhawk11,397 records
- Pacific Forktail6,833 records
- Blue Dasher6,665 records
- Common Green Darner5,809 records
Plan your dragonfly trip in California
Start with live tours near Alcatraz Island, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Alcatraz Island
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main dragonfly viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Alcatraz Island
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best dragonfly viewing area in California.
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Broader backupBook a dragonfly tour in California
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see dragonflies in California in September?+
Yes. September accounts for 17,526 of the 145,175 verified dragonflies sightings logged in California across the year, which is 12.1% of the annual total.
Is September a good time to see dragonflies in California?+
September is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though July and June is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for dragonflies in California?+
July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, June and August, based on 145,175 verified observations.
Which dragonflies are you most likely to see in California?+
The most-recorded species in California are Vivid Dancer, Flame Skimmer and Variegated Meadowhawk, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See dragonflies in California in other months
More places to see dragonflies
More wildlife in California