Was that a duck I saw?

[lakershaker]

At Rattlesnake this weekend we saw 8 baby ducks, I think. At first I thought they may be loons, but when I got home on the internet, they didn't look like baby loons. They had black bodies with white spots, and their heads were a reddish brown. There were no parents with them, and they kept making chipping sounds. I have seen some loons this year, more than in the past, so that is why I initially thought loons. But it seemed strange the chicks were alone. Anyone have any ideas what it is I saw? In 25 years on Rattlesnake, I have never seen birds like these. Sorry I don't have a picture, I left the camera in the car