Dragonflies in New Jersey in May
Yes, May is a good month to see dragonflies in New Jersey. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 8,438 of the 68,124 sightings logged across the year (12.4%), 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 New Jersey
12.4%
of yearly sightings
8,438
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
68,124
verified records a year
April 3.1%, May 12.4%, June 24%. Busiest month is June at 24%.
68,124 verified observations of dragonflies in New Jersey, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dragonflies are recorded in New Jersey
Peak month
June
16,357 records (24% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 9 | 0% |
| February | 24 | 0% |
| March | 72 | 0.1% |
| April | 2,095 | 3.1% |
| May | 8,438 | 12.4% |
| Junepeak | 16,357 | 24% |
| Julypeak | 15,571 | 22.9% |
| Augustpeak | 13,733 | 20.2% |
| September | 8,281 | 12.2% |
| October | 2,906 | 4.3% |
| November | 553 | 0.8% |
| December | 85 | 0.1% |
Dragonflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Blue Dasher | 5,311 |
| Eastern Pondhawk | 5,024 |
| Common Whitetail | 3,802 |
| Fragile Forktail | 3,730 |
| Slaty Skimmer | 2,509 |
| Blue Corporal | 1,861 |
| Halloween Pennant | 1,785 |
| Ebony Jewelwing | 1,726 |
In New Jersey, May carries 12.4% of the year's dragonflies sightings, about 4.1 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 (3.1%) into May, and it heads toward June (24%) after. The busiest month is June (24%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The dragonflies most often recorded in New Jersey 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 Dasher5,311 records
- Eastern Pondhawk5,024 records
- Common Whitetail3,802 records
- Fragile Forktail3,730 records
- Slaty Skimmer2,509 records
- Blue Corporal1,861 records
Plan your dragonfly trip in New Jersey
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 New Jersey.
Viator
Broader backupBook a dragonfly tour in New Jersey
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 New Jersey in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 8,438 of the 68,124 verified dragonflies sightings logged in New Jersey across the year, which is 12.4% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see dragonflies in New Jersey?+
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 New Jersey?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and August, based on 68,124 verified observations.
Which dragonflies are you most likely to see in New Jersey?+
The most-recorded species in New Jersey are Blue Dasher, Eastern Pondhawk and Common Whitetail, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See dragonflies in New Jersey in other months
More places to see dragonflies
More wildlife in New Jersey