A First!

I believe this is the first recorded emergence of this butterfly in 2023.
I have recorded it with the Butterfly Conservation website and it should appear on their website once it has been verified.  It was nectaring on small bugloss.

OK, it may not be the first as others may record it on different sites such as iRecord.  Others too may have seen an earlier one and not yet submitted their record.

This is the second time this local site has produced a first emergence.
They should be around for the next month or so.

Oh, nearly forgot to tell you what it is.
It is the Scottish sub-species of the Northern Brown Argus.
Aricia artaxerxes ssp. artaxerxes
When this butterfly closes its wings, it is difficult to distinguish it from other blue butterflies, to whom it is related.

There are two sub-species of this butterfly, one found in the north of England and the other in Scotland.  The English version lacks the two white spots on the forewings - in fact it may even sport a black spot instead.