Orbs of bright light traveling tightly in formation over LI Sound.

My husband called as he was approaching home to tell me to come outside with two of our children to take a look at some strange, bright lights that he observed over our area.  We live on the Long Island sound in an area called Westcot Cove.  A short walk down to the beach area, we can see clear across to Long Island.  These lights were orb shaped and very bright.  
My husband initially stated that he saw about 5 at first hovering over the area at a seemingly low altitude.  By the time we ran out and approached the beach, we saw about 3.  They traveled very tightly together and made no noise, came down a bit lower over the sound and headed towards Long Island seemingly side by side.  Once over Long Island, they just hovered very brightly.  One of the lights eventually dimmed and went out as did another.  One remained bright the entire time.  I started to think maybe they were helicopters but the brightness of the lights and the way they moved so closely together confused us all quite a bit.  Even when they moved away from us towards LI, they just seemed like balls of light..  Light all around.  
We wound up leaving as the one remained and continued to hover around.  Maybe someone will post what it was by morning.  Also, a dog in the area along the sound starting making a god awful howl while we were observing this.