Dragonflies in New York in August
Yes, August is one of the best months to see dragonflies in New York. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 12,148 of the 66,443 sightings logged across the year (18.3%), 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.
Peak month for dragonflies in New York
18.3%
of yearly sightings
12,148
records in August
#3
busiest month of 12
66,443
verified records a year
July 33.1%, August 18.3%, September 7.8%. Busiest month is July at 33.1%.
66,443 verified observations of dragonflies in New York, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dragonflies are recorded in New York
Peak month
July
21,990 records (33.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 10 | 0% |
| February | 18 | 0% |
| March | 56 | 0.1% |
| April | 351 | 0.5% |
| May | 5,229 | 7.9% |
| Junepeak | 19,510 | 29.4% |
| Julypeak | 21,990 | 33.1% |
| Augustpeak | 12,148 | 18.3% |
| September | 5,154 | 7.8% |
| October | 1,447 | 2.2% |
| November | 516 | 0.8% |
| December | 14 | 0% |
Dragonflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Blue Dasher | 5,063 |
| Common Whitetail | 3,530 |
| Eastern Forktail | 2,911 |
| Ebony Jewelwing | 2,845 |
| Eastern Pondhawk | 2,779 |
| Autumn Meadowhawk | 2,637 |
| Fragile Forktail | 2,155 |
| Widow Skimmer | 1,905 |
In New York, August carries 18.3% of the year's dragonflies sightings, about 10 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from July (33.1%) into August, and it heads toward September (7.8%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so August is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The dragonflies most often recorded in New York are Blue Dasher, Common Whitetail and Eastern Forktail. Those counts are annual totals rather than a August split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in August itself.
Which dragonflies you are most likely to see
- Blue Dasher5,063 records
- Common Whitetail3,530 records
- Eastern Forktail2,911 records
- Ebony Jewelwing2,845 records
- Eastern Pondhawk2,779 records
- Autumn Meadowhawk2,637 records
Plan your dragonfly trip in New York
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 York.
Viator
Broader backupBook a dragonfly tour in New York
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 York in August?+
Yes. August accounts for 12,148 of the 66,443 verified dragonflies sightings logged in New York across the year, which is 18.3% of the annual total.
Is August a good time to see dragonflies in New York?+
August is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of July, June and August.
What month is best for dragonflies in New York?+
July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, June and August, based on 66,443 verified observations.
Which dragonflies are you most likely to see in New York?+
The most-recorded species in New York are Blue Dasher, Common Whitetail and Eastern Forktail, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See dragonflies in New York in other months
More places to see dragonflies