Flock off Dyer's Point, 12/30/12

[Calien]

Once again I ask for the input of more experienced birders.  What might I have seen about 3 PM Sunday at Dyer's Point ?:   a flock of several dozen dark "seabirds" skimming the water and shifting direction for all the world like peeps, flying through wave foam before landing on an outcropping just at the farthest reach of my binocs (so I can't be terribly specific).  They were maybe the size of a kildeer,  dark above with dark heads, beaks seemed longer and more  pointed than gulls;  lighter, dusky but not white slightly pot bellies.  A large gull overhead completely spooked them and they  moved quickly to another rock to settle, their wings flashing white.  (no white on back or tail from above).  As they rested on the rock they completely blended into the rockweed. I thought perhaps the winds of Saturday night and Sunday blew them in (it was still windy at the point which was otherwise inhabited by more usual suspects:  grebes, eider, buffleheads).  Thanks for ideas.  I realize I can't claim a real sighting but perhaps someone else saw these birds or has an idea.  I have not seen anything quite like them.  Only solo petrels in the bay etc.   Calien