Over the weekend, the eagle owl chicks began to hatch.
This took place in their home on a cliff face in Stora Stöten at the Falun Mine.
— It’s very unique that this is happening right here. It attracts bird enthusiasts from all over Europe, says nature photographer Hansa Andersson.
Dalarna’s provincial animal is Europe’s largest owl, the eagle owl. It is 59–73 centimetres long, with a wingspan of up to 170 centimetres. The eagle owl (Latin: Bubo bubo) has been on the Swedish Red List for many years. According to the 2025 Red List assessment, its current status is “Vulnerable.”
But this past weekend, the eagle owl chicks began to hatch. They belong to the pair nesting in Stora Stöten at the Falun Mine.
— This is a perfect place for eagle owls, says nature photographer Hansa Andersson, pointing to the small box where the eggs hatched over the weekend:
— Eagle owls prefer, as the name suggests, mountainous environments. The spot where the female has been incubating is ideal, as they are left undisturbed by both people and animals such as foxes. In the coming months, the chicks will first learn to fly and later to find their own food, which they do in the dark, as they are highly skilled nocturnal hunters. In August or September, they will leave the nest and their parents, says Hansa Andersson.
The birth of new eagle owls in the Falun Mine is unusual. The last time it happened was three years ago.
Another eagle owl pair, Bubo and Bubolina, is currently preparing for a different mission.
The mascot Bubo was created for the 1993 World Championships by designer Owe Sandström and illustrator Anita Stray. Bubo made a comeback at the 2015 Championships, when he was more mobile—dancing, giving high-fives, and playing with children—unlike in 1993, when he was more of a storybook figure.
Now Bubo is getting ready for his third World Championships as a mascot, this time together with his partner Bubolina:
— Bubo and Bubolina are not only wise as owls but also represent curiosity, warmth, and a sense of security, says Lisa Johansson, Marketing Manager for Falun 2027.
Archive photo by Hansa Andersson