Dragonflies in Massachusetts in May
Yes, May is a good month to see dragonflies in Massachusetts. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 5,380 of the 51,318 sightings logged across the year (10.5%), 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 July 2, 2026.
Good month for dragonflies in Massachusetts
10.5%
of yearly sightings
5,380
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
51,318
verified records a year
April 0.7%, May 10.5%, June 27.9%. Busiest month is July at 31.3%.
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)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 13 | 0% |
| February | 11 | 0% |
| March | 47 | 0.1% |
| April | 359 | 0.7% |
| May | 5,380 | 10.5% |
| Junepeak | 14,314 | 27.9% |
| Julypeak | 16,076 | 31.3% |
| Augustpeak | 9,552 | 18.6% |
| September | 3,815 | 7.4% |
| October | 1,213 | 2.4% |
| November | 524 | 1% |
| December | 14 | 0% |
Dragonflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Blue Dasher | 4,994 |
| Eastern Pondhawk | 2,999 |
| Common Whitetail | 2,937 |
| Autumn Meadowhawk | 2,791 |
| Fragile Forktail | 1,962 |
| Eastern Forktail | 1,752 |
| Ebony Jewelwing | 1,657 |
| Slaty Skimmer | 1,537 |
In Massachusetts, May carries 10.5% of the year's dragonflies sightings, about 2.2 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 (0.7%) into May, and it heads toward June (27.9%) after. The busiest month is July (31.3%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The dragonflies most often recorded in Massachusetts are Blue Dasher, Eastern Pondhawk and Common Whitetail. 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
- 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 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.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main dragonfly viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best dragonfly viewing area in Massachusetts.
Viator
Broader backupBook a dragonfly tour in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 5,380 of the 51,318 verified dragonflies sightings logged in Massachusetts across the year, which is 10.5% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see dragonflies in Massachusetts?+
May is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though July and June is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
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.
See dragonflies in Massachusetts in other months
More places to see dragonflies
More wildlife in Massachusetts