What began as a typical Saturday at one of Rhode Island’s busiest beaches turned extraordinary when a massive swarm of Common Green Darner dragonflies descended on the area. On July 27, 2024, beachgoers were taken by surprise as thousands of dragonflies suddenly gathered, zipping past and swatting people in the face. Instagram user 'marminya' captured the dramatic moment, noting that while the dragonflies had been present in the morning, the afternoon saw them form a huge swarm that quickly covered the sky.

The unexpected spectacle lasted about a minute, prompting screams from the startled crowd before it cleared and beachgoers erupted in clapping and cheers. 'marminya' overheard someone exclaim, “I didn’t know dragonflies traveled in packs!” Upon later research, 'marminya' discovered that this dragonfly migration is an annual event, akin to bird migrations.

A regular Saturday at one of Rhode Island’s busiest beaches, Misquamicut Beach turned biblical when all of a sudden a swarm of dragonflies invaded the beach. On Saturday 7/27/24, there were lots of dragonflies zipping around on the beach in the morning when we entered, but nothing crazy. In the afternoon the dragonflies suddenly gathered into a massive swarm and zipped past by the thousands swatting people in the face and covering the sky. I was laying down when it started and captured most of the flight. The crowd at the beach were screaming but it only lasted about a minute for the sky to clear before beach goers erupted in clapping and cheers. I heard someone scream “I didn’t know dragonflies travelled in packs!” I looked it up later and learned the event happens annually and these Common Green Darner dragonflies migrate just like birds. It was amazing to experience a rare moment with so many people!