Dragonflies in Massachusetts in July

Yes, July is one of the best months to see dragonflies in Massachusetts. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 16,076 of the 51,318 sightings logged across the year (31.3%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.

Cherry-faced Meadowhawk photographed in MassachusettsAutumn Meadowhawk photographed in MassachusettsSpatterdock Darner photographed in Massachusetts
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Peak month for dragonflies in Massachusetts

31.3%

of yearly sightings

16,076

records in July

#1

busiest month of 12

51,318

verified records a year

June 27.9%, July 31.3%, August 18.6%. Busiest month is July at 31.3%.

Best months: July, June, AugustPeak season right now

51,318 verified observations of dragonflies in Massachusetts, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When dragonflies are recorded in Massachusetts

Peak month

July

16,076 records (31.3% of the year)

Quietest month

February

11 records

MonthObservationsShare
January130%
February110%
March470.1%
April3590.7%
May5,38010.5%
Junepeak14,31427.9%
Julypeak16,07631.3%
Augustpeak9,55218.6%
September3,8157.4%
October1,2132.4%
November5241%
December140%

Dragonflies you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Blue Dasher4,994
Eastern Pondhawk2,999
Common Whitetail2,937
Autumn Meadowhawk2,791
Fragile Forktail1,962
Eastern Forktail1,752
Ebony Jewelwing1,657
Slaty Skimmer1,537

In Massachusetts, July carries 31.3% of the year's dragonflies sightings, about 23 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is rising from June (27.9%) into July, and it heads toward August (18.6%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so July is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.

The dragonflies most often recorded in Massachusetts are Blue Dasher, Eastern Pondhawk and Common Whitetail. Those counts are annual totals rather than a July split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in July itself.

Which dragonflies you are most likely to see

  • Blue Dasher4,994 records
  • Eastern Pondhawk2,999 records
  • Common Whitetail2,937 records
  • Autumn Meadowhawk2,791 records
  • Fragile Forktail1,962 records
  • Eastern Forktail1,752 records
Plan your tripAppalachian National Scenic Trail

Plan your dragonfly trip in Massachusetts

Start with live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.

Frequently asked questions

Can you see dragonflies in Massachusetts in July?+

Yes. July accounts for 16,076 of the 51,318 verified dragonflies sightings logged in Massachusetts across the year, which is 31.3% of the annual total.

Is July a good time to see dragonflies in Massachusetts?+

July is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of July, June and August.

What month is best for dragonflies in Massachusetts?+

July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, June and August, based on 51,318 verified observations.

Which dragonflies are you most likely to see in Massachusetts?+

The most-recorded species in Massachusetts are Blue Dasher, Eastern Pondhawk and Common Whitetail, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.