Ecto -parasite?

While watching a group of three Common Lizards on a woodpile this afternoon I noticed one with some grey oval objects on its body just behind a foreleg.  Some of these seemed to be lost as it moved around but I took a picture of one still attached (to follow).

Grateful for advice on whether it is likely to be parasite - possibly a tic?

Peter vaughan

Hi Peter

Re the Wirral while there certainly were Sand Lizards and Natterjack Toads there, we have carried out extensive monitoring over the last few years without seeing any. Conversely it must be emphasised that there are undoubtedly small areas of isolated habitat which we haven't even found, let alone visited, so it is just barely possible that there is a relict population hanging in there somewhere. "The absence of evidence is not the same as the evidence of absence" (thanks Chris Gleed-Owen!). There is some potential for re-intros but this needs careful consideration of all the relevant factors.

Any Wirral inhabitants who know of Wirral animals? Let us at The HCT know please.