 Once the eggs hatch, the parents take it in turn to make the round trip to the sea to bring food and water to their offspring.The humidity, wind speed, air and surface temperatures vary widely on a daily basis and the gull has to use various thermo-regulatory mechanisms when nesting to maintain its body temperature and that of its eggs and chicks within acceptable limits.In the hottest part of the day the parent bird stands over its nest to prevent the eggs or chicks overheating.