Dragonflies in Maryland in May
Yes, May is a good month to see dragonflies in Maryland. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 8,167 of the 67,241 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 Maryland
12.1%
of yearly sightings
8,167
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
67,241
verified records a year
April 5.9%, May 12.1%, June 30.4%. Busiest month is June at 30.4%.
67,241 verified observations of dragonflies in Maryland, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dragonflies are recorded in Maryland
Peak month
June
20,471 records (30.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 36 | 0.1% |
| February | 32 | 0% |
| March | 195 | 0.3% |
| April | 3,985 | 5.9% |
| May | 8,167 | 12.1% |
| Junepeak | 20,471 | 30.4% |
| Julypeak | 18,051 | 26.8% |
| Augustpeak | 10,361 | 15.4% |
| September | 4,018 | 6% |
| October | 1,386 | 2.1% |
| November | 488 | 0.7% |
| December | 51 | 0.1% |
Dragonflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Whitetail | 5,318 |
| Blue Dasher | 4,748 |
| Eastern Pondhawk | 4,463 |
| Ebony Jewelwing | 3,438 |
| Fragile Forktail | 3,319 |
| Needham's Skimmer | 2,506 |
| Slaty Skimmer | 2,112 |
| Great Blue Skimmer | 1,750 |
In Maryland, May carries 12.1% of the year's dragonflies sightings, about 3.8 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (5.9%) into May, and it heads toward June (30.4%) after. The busiest month is June (30.4%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The dragonflies most often recorded in Maryland are Common Whitetail, Blue Dasher and Eastern Pondhawk. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May itself.
Which dragonflies you are most likely to see
- Common Whitetail5,318 records
- Blue Dasher4,748 records
- Eastern Pondhawk4,463 records
- Ebony Jewelwing3,438 records
- Fragile Forktail3,319 records
- Needham's Skimmer2,506 records
Plan your dragonfly trip in Maryland
Start with live tours near Antietam National Battlefield, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Antietam National Battlefield
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 Antietam National Battlefield
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best dragonfly viewing area in Maryland.
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Broader backupBook a dragonfly tour in Maryland
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 Maryland in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 8,167 of the 67,241 verified dragonflies sightings logged in Maryland across the year, which is 12.1% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see dragonflies in Maryland?+
May is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though June and July is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for dragonflies in Maryland?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and August, based on 67,241 verified observations.
Which dragonflies are you most likely to see in Maryland?+
The most-recorded species in Maryland are Common Whitetail, Blue Dasher and Eastern Pondhawk, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See dragonflies in Maryland in other months
More places to see dragonflies
More wildlife in Maryland