Small Blue butterfly?

[shelagh]

I'm wondering if anyone can help identify a small brilliant blue butterfly we saw in the Old Parsonage Garden in Didsbury South Manchester today.
From what I saw, because it didn't linger it was blue top and underside. I've looked through our 3 Butterfly books and I haven't found one that can be seen in northern UK.
I'd be glad of any help.

[ian mcdonald]

Holly Blue? Shelagh.

[Gail]

Agree Holly Blue is likely but Common Blue also possible at this time of year. If it was flying above shoulder height probably Holly Blue, the commons tend to make short rapid flights, below waist height. Common Blues have the widest distribution of the blues and can be found right up to north of Scotland.

[shelagh]

Thanks Ian and Gail. It was a very small blue butterfly and it was flying near the ground so perhaps it was the Common Blue. I just enjoyed seeing it.

[ian mcdonald]

Just a thought Shelagh. You said the butterfly was blue on the Underside. Common blues are usually brown on the underside?

[partisangardener]

It depends, male or female.
https://glenlivet-wildlife.co.uk/insects/common-blue/

[shelagh]

My thanks to everyone who helped. It didn't settle anywhere so I couldn't take a pic.