Julie McCall writes:

"It's time for "Help Julie Name that Bird," Round 2. Spotted Thursday from Laurel Hill Park in Secaucus. I don't have a whole lot of ocean birding experience, but I feel pretty confident these are scoters.

"It's the Surf/White-winged part I'm having difficulty with. I've gone through several guides, and waffled back and forth, but I'm leaning toward Surf Scoter. Both species occur in the Meadowlands "Rare"-ly in the fall, according to the checklist.

"Would anyone like to weigh in? The tipping point for me is a post David Sibley did on IDing scoters by shape…"  (Rick Wright says these are likely Surf Scoters.)

(Great bird, great job!)