First report of Ixodes frontalis (Acari: Ixodidae) in Finland, an example of foreign tick species transported by a migratory bird

Two small and dark coloured engorged tick nymphs of 2.8mm and 1.5mmin lengthwere found attached to the skin near the eyes and the beak of a Tree pipit (Anthus trivialis L.) captured for banding in the island of Lågskär in May 2005. The tick nymphs were morphologically identified as Ixodes frontalis Linnaeus. This species has not been previously reported from Finland