Using gloves, straw and a wool blanket, B.C. Hydro workers have moved two osprey nests that were causing power outages near Salmon Arm, B.C., and at risk of catching fire.

The 40-kilogram nests were on top of energized power poles and have caused three power outages affecting thousands of customers in Salmon Arm, B.C. Hydro said.

A video released by B.C. Hydro shows a worker carefully plucking each egg from the nest and putting them in a bucket with straw and a wool blanket.

Then, the nest is carefully lifted from the power pole and moved to another pole with no electricity before the eggs are replaced.

"We're doing this to protect the birds, because the birds are in danger when they're on top of an energized pole," said Arne Langston, a resource specialist with B.C. Hydro in a video provided by the utility.

Osprey nests can grow quite large and as sticks cross several conductors they can cause a short and start fires, said Langston.

"The whole nest can burn up — burn up completely and fall to the ground. We've had that happen."

Hydro crews had been watching and trimming the nest for a month before the operation last Friday, Langston said.

Osprey nests are protected in B.C.