Ticks are, second to mosquitos, the most frequently occurring vector, spreading microorganisms to both humans and animals. The medical aspects affect the human population in endemic areas, while tick borne diseases causes economic consequences when livestock is infected. Ticks depend on its host to conquer new habitats, and while attached to a bird, ticks are able to travel long distances. The dispersal of ticks also results in dispersal of the pathogens it carries. This study aims to, for the first time, evaluate the dispersal of Anaplasma phagocytophilum by migrating birds while travelling from wintering locations in Africa to breeding locations in the Mediterranean area. Ticks collected during spring 2010 on the islands of Capri and Antikythera were analysed for A. phagocytophilum using a TaqMan realtime PCR assay. Among the collected ticks (n=361), 80% belonged to Hyalomma spp. Only one (0,3%) out of 361 samples analysed was confirmed positive for A. phagocytophilum. The low prevalence indicates that migrating birds in the Mediterranean area are not a probable cause of dispersal of ticks infested by A. phagocytophilum.