In June of 2006 I located this colony of Least Terns nesting on a construction site in Pearland Texas. I was able to document 8 chicks that hatched out of 11 eggs from 5 nests. The adults were very protective and I was dive-bombed several times in the beginning, but eventually excepted.
The chicks were on the run within 24 hours of hatching. They hide by laying flat and/or under a plant or anything they can find. The adults keep track of their location to feed and watch over them. As time went on, it became more difficult to keep track of each chick or to tell which one was which. As far as I know, all 8 chicks fledged. Enjoy