BLUES

 A large family (Lycaenidae) that includes the hairstreaks and coppers as well.  The males are usually blue (some exceptions), but the females are brown.

The blues are what make the summer in the UK.  Only the Common Blue, Small Blue and Holly Blue are seen in the northern half of Britain. They are all seen on the continental mainland, yet many of the British species are confined to the deep south.  This is probably more to do with geology (Chalk) and grazing than temperature.

Common Blue 03

A common blue butterfly of grassland.

Common blue

Small Blue 05

Small Blue 03

Small blue

A very small blue butterfly that looks like a moth when seen fluttering in the grass.  Likes to bask on bare earth or stones.

Large Blue 13                                                                                                  Large Blue 17

Large Blue

An extremely rare butterfly that is on the up thanks to re-introduction projects at secret sites around the country.  These photos were taken at a Gloucestershire site.

Brown Argus 03

Brown Argus 01

Brown argus

A fairly scarce member of the blue butterflies.  Male and female are brown, so both can be confused with the female Common Blue.

Chalkhill Blue 1                                                                                                                                  Chalkhill Blue 12

Chalkhill blue

A locally common butterfly of calcareous downland.

Holly Blue 02 crop

Holly blue

Long Tailed Blue 01

Long tailed blue

An infrequent visitor to the UK.  The tail shows the link between the "blues" and the "hairstreaks".

They are usually seen amongst garden flowers.