Holly Blue Winton

Holly Blue butterfly with open wings on a bright blue flwoer.

Holly Blue. Photo: Mel Bray

Mel says: “I get Holly Blues in my garden in Winton (Bournemouth) every year – this is an early one. Followed it around a while to get the open wing shot – it was taking the sun, probably very fresh. The plant is alkanet (aka green alkanet) – they usually start to flower a short time before the Holly Blues arrive.

An old chap (nowdeceased) who had lived all his life in the same house just down the road used to say that when the little blue butterflies arrive you know it is spring. It must be at least 80 years that the Holly Blues have been here. I like to think of that continuity.

They appeared about a week ago on one of the sunny days – suddenly there were six of them!!! Some of them were fluttering around in pairs. I was so relieved to see them – they are often around in early April.”

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