Dragonflies in Rhode Island in May
Yes, May is a good month to see dragonflies in Rhode Island. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 386 of the 4,046 sightings logged across the year (9.5%), 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 June 28, 2026.
Good month for dragonflies in Rhode Island
9.5%
of yearly sightings
386
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
4,046
verified records a year
April 1%, May 9.5%, June 28.4%. Busiest month is July at 31.6%.
4,046 verified observations of dragonflies in Rhode Island, recorded across 10 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dragonflies are recorded in Rhode Island
Peak month
July
1,280 records (31.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 3 | 0.1% |
| April | 41 | 1% |
| May | 386 | 9.5% |
| Junepeak | 1,148 | 28.4% |
| Julypeak | 1,280 | 31.6% |
| Augustpeak | 752 | 18.6% |
| September | 278 | 6.9% |
| October | 119 | 2.9% |
| November | 38 | 0.9% |
| December | 1 | 0% |
Dragonflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Blue Dasher | 370 |
| Eastern Pondhawk | 263 |
| Autumn Meadowhawk | 218 |
| Ebony Jewelwing | 167 |
| Common Whitetail | 158 |
| Slaty Skimmer | 122 |
| Fragile Forktail | 115 |
| Halloween Pennant | 111 |
In Rhode Island, May carries 9.5% of the year's dragonflies sightings, about 1.2 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 10 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (1%) into May, and it heads toward June (28.4%) after. The busiest month is July (31.6%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The dragonflies most often recorded in Rhode Island are Blue Dasher, Eastern Pondhawk and Autumn Meadowhawk. 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 Dasher370 records
- Eastern Pondhawk263 records
- Autumn Meadowhawk218 records
- Ebony Jewelwing167 records
- Common Whitetail158 records
- Slaty Skimmer122 records
Plan your dragonfly trip in Rhode Island
Start with live tours near Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main dragonfly viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best dragonfly viewing area in Rhode Island.
Viator
Broader backupBook a dragonfly tour in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 386 of the 4,046 verified dragonflies sightings logged in Rhode Island across the year, which is 9.5% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see dragonflies in Rhode Island?+
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 Rhode Island?+
July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, June and August, based on 4,046 verified observations.
Which dragonflies are you most likely to see in Rhode Island?+
The most-recorded species in Rhode Island are Blue Dasher, Eastern Pondhawk and Autumn Meadowhawk, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See dragonflies in Rhode Island in other months
More places to see dragonflies
More wildlife in Rhode Island