Sightings of the Loch Ness Monster have dwindled in recent months, with no one reporting so much as a glimpse of the long-necked creature since October.
The Official Loch Ness Monster Sightings Register hasn’t recorded a new entry since October 11 last year, and the first sighting of 2023 has yet to be made.
Even prolific hunter Eoin O’Faodhagain, who has added several sightings of Nessie from his home in County Donegal, Ireland, by keeping watch via webcam, has struggled to see Nessie.
He said: “I have no sightings to report this year so far.
“I think the atmospheric conditions of late are making it unsuitable for Nessie spotting.
“There has been so much rain, wind and snow there that it is equally hard to spot Nessie whether from webcam or live at the loch.”
Mr O’Faodhagain had recorded a sighting in November which he claimed proved Nessie’s existence, however it was not added to the official register over new webcam rules.
Gary Campbell, who runs the register, added the lack of sightings of the mythical monster is nothing to worry about.
He explained: “From our point of view, it's not unusual at all.
“We’re only a month and a bit into the year and there have been many periods of up to a few months when Nessie hasn't been seen in the past.
“There's no real pattern to Nessie sightings other than there are generally more in the summer than the winter.
“This is most likely down to much shorter daylight hours in the winter – and vice versa in the summer – and the fact that there are significantly more people around in the middle of the year.”
Mr O’Faodhagain added the task for those watching online had been made more difficult by one of the cameras now being set to rotate.
The camera in question, at Shoreland Lodges, is maintained by Visit Inverness Loch Ness and was used to make November’s big sighting.
He added: “But the thing about Nessie sightings is this could all change very quickly, such is the unpredictability of such events.
“There is no slacking off on my part, I am as committed as ever.”
It comes as a snake-like sea creature sharing a striking resemblance to the Loch Ness Monster was spotted in foreign waters, sparking fears she has moved away from Scotland.
The beast, which some claim to be Nessie, was recently seen by witnesses off the coast of North Carolina.
It was captured with its head out the water off of Atlantic Beach, before its body surfaced and it dipped back underwater.
