Getting Started

Here are a few pages for people just starting out to watch dragonflies

When

The flight season is from roughly April to October, with occasionally a few individuals being seen in late March and early November. Obviously not all species are flying at the same time: the earliest is usually the Large Red damselfly while the Common Darter is usually the last seen.

Within that period the best time is June to August on hot days, with little or no wind, between 10 am and 2 pm. Insects are often flying before this, and frequently can be seen until dusk, but that's your optimum time.

How

A few tips for spotting dragonflies:

• When watching water, rather than scanning the air above the pond for flying dragonflies, watch the water surface for their reflection - since you looking at a surface rather than an area it's easier to spot the insects that way.
• Don't forget to check the edges of ponds for ovipositing females; since they aren't flying it's easy to overlook them.
• When approaching a settled dragonfly, if you disturb it just stand still - since it was happy there before it may come back.
• Photography is often easier on colder, overcast days as the insects are less inclined to fly.