Is Purbeck Heaths Emperor Dragonfly Emergence happening right now?
As of today, peak season now, through ~July 20. Earth Exhibit tracks the live conditions and flags it the moment it is on.
Each early summer, emperor dragonflies (Anax imperator) emerge from larval stages in the ponds, ditches and bog pools of the Purbeck Heaths in Dorset.
Males patrol open water and perches while females oviposit, producing reliable daytime displays on warm, sunny afternoons at key heathland ponds.
Where to see it
A taste of where to see it. The full map, exact coordinates and the best timing for each spot live in the app.
| Viewing spots |
|---|
| Hartland Moor National Nature Reserve |
| Studland Heaths (Studland and Godlingston Heath NNR) |
| + 1 more spot, with exact coordinates and timing, in the app → |
This is the short version
This page shows a taste. The app has the full list of where to see this, the exact timing, and live conditions for 1,000+ natural phenomena worldwide, so you know the moment one is genuinely worth the trip.