Hello. I'm working through this course, and this is my first post. So we will see how it goes.
I live in Mount Airy, MD -- near Baltimore. Went out in the backyard yesterday (31-Dec) evening and the first birds I saw were a Junco, then a Chickadee, and a Carolina Wren that came out of a hydrangea and sang to me. Those are all in the Songbird group, I think. There was a Downy Woodpecker that was eating our suet -- that's group 2. And then there is a small pond along our walk that has Mergansers on it in the winter. I'll count that as group 3.
My favorite bird in my neighborhood is the Indigo Bunting. I attached a picture that I took a couple summers ago at Audrey Carroll Sanctuary near my house. At this time of year, I also really enjoy the Nuthatches. I like the staccato song they sing while they climb down the tree trunks.
Thanks for reading! I'm really enjoying the class, and have learned quite a bit!