Dragonflies in Washington in May
Yes, May is a good month to see dragonflies in Washington. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 3,252 of the 24,906 sightings logged across the year (13.1%), 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 Washington
13.1%
of yearly sightings
3,252
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
24,906
verified records a year
April 2.3%, May 13.1%, June 22.3%. Busiest month is July at 28.1%.
24,906 verified observations of dragonflies in Washington, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dragonflies are recorded in Washington
Peak month
July
6,988 records (28.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 9 | 0% |
| February | 6 | 0% |
| March | 28 | 0.1% |
| April | 581 | 2.3% |
| May | 3,252 | 13.1% |
| Junepeak | 5,553 | 22.3% |
| Julypeak | 6,988 | 28.1% |
| Augustpeak | 4,892 | 19.6% |
| September | 2,476 | 9.9% |
| October | 979 | 3.9% |
| November | 129 | 0.5% |
| December | 13 | 0.1% |
Dragonflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Pacific Forktail | 2,598 |
| Eight-spotted Skimmer | 2,046 |
| Blue Dasher | 1,490 |
| Tule Bluet | 1,166 |
| Cardinal Meadowhawk | 1,109 |
| Striped Meadowhawk | 1,049 |
| Blue-eyed Darner | 964 |
| Western Pondhawk | 868 |
In Washington, May carries 13.1% of the year's dragonflies sightings, about 4.8 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 (2.3%) into May, and it heads toward June (22.3%) after. The busiest month is July (28.1%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The dragonflies most often recorded in Washington are Pacific Forktail, Eight-spotted Skimmer and Blue Dasher. 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
- Pacific Forktail2,598 records
- Eight-spotted Skimmer2,046 records
- Blue Dasher1,490 records
- Tule Bluet1,166 records
- Cardinal Meadowhawk1,109 records
- Striped Meadowhawk1,049 records
Plan your dragonfly trip in Washington
Start with live tours near Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main dragonfly viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best dragonfly viewing area in Washington.
Viator
Broader backupBook a dragonfly tour in Washington
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 Washington in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 3,252 of the 24,906 verified dragonflies sightings logged in Washington across the year, which is 13.1% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see dragonflies in Washington?+
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 Washington?+
July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, June and August, based on 24,906 verified observations.
Which dragonflies are you most likely to see in Washington?+
The most-recorded species in Washington are Pacific Forktail, Eight-spotted Skimmer and Blue Dasher, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See dragonflies in Washington in other months
More places to see dragonflies
More wildlife in Washington