The keeper of the official Loch Ness Monster Register says he's not surprised there haven't been any official sightings of the monster this year – despite a bumper year in 2021.
Inverness-based Gary Campbell, who has recorded more than 1136 alleged sightings of Nessie over the past 26 years, stated that the start of the year and the end of winter is usually a quiet time for the monster.
He explained there tends to be very few people around at this time of year and the hours of daylight are much shorter, meaning there's less daylight available for people to watch the surface of the loch.
He added that doesn't mean they haven't had any reports in 2022, far from it, but much like the majority of claimed sightings if they are explainable they don't make it into the registrar.
"There have been a few reports sent to us from the webcam," he added. "But we've been able to explain them."
After a great year last year, with 16 official sightings of the Loch Ness Monster, Gary admits he's expecting more physical sightings in 2022 as opposed to ones taken from the webcam.
He said: "We never know from year to year how it will go, but if tourist numbers increase as Covid abates then hopefully there will be more from people who are physically at the loch."
Should you be lucky enough to spot the elusive monster, Gary explained that they should submit their sighting to the website www.lochnesssightings.com, where if it can't be explained it will be officially registered.
Over the course of the pandemic and the subsequent lockdown, there was a growth in sightings on the webcam which sits close to the banks of the loch.
The likes of American monster spotter Kalynn Wangle and experienced Nessie hunter Irishman Eoin O Faodhagain have had some very intriguing digital sightings.
When asked about the possibility of more being placed all year round from different vantages on the loch, Gary responded: "There has been a lot of discussion about this but someone would have to pay for it. There are also still broadband connectivity issues at the loch which may hinder such efforts."
Over the years, there have been theories of the Loch Ness Monster being everything from giant sturgeon to large eels and even a giant squid.
The record-keeper though, despite being interested in the subject for over a quarter of a century since his own sighting of the beast ignited his passion for Nessie, still isn't sure what he believes it to be.
"I really don't know what the truth is but having become interested in this 26 years ago when I saw something in the loch, I'd very much like an answer.
"In practical terms, I'd say it has to be an aquatic creature that doesn't need to come to the surface to breathe and it would have to be able to live in freshwater. This narrows the options."
"In terms of recent sightings, the best advance has been the fact that most people now have a high definition video camera in their pocket as part of their phone.
"This has meant that there is more and more picture/video evidence being captured which both helps with the search and also, conversely, helps give explanations for most of what people are seeing."
You can follow the most recent official sightings and learn more about the monster, and the loch it calls home here .
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