For some reason the first second is full of static - and then it goes away. I tried recording with two different headphones with mikes and the same thing happened. Is this normal? Thank you.
Try Apple menu > System Preferences > Sound > Input.
When your microphone is chosen in the input list, is there a checkbox “Use ambient noise reduction”? Is it checked? If so, uncheck it.
– Bill
Thanks Bill - unfortunately not… 
I guess I can live with it and simply cut it out each time - it’s just an odd thing and doesn’t make much sense since it then goes away… thanks for your reply and for taking the time!
Paul-L’s DeClicker plugin does what it says on the tin , ( it’s quicker than manually cutting out or repairing clicks ).
Are you recording multiple tracks? If there is a track above that does not start at time zero, try drag-selecting from time zero up to the start of the track and Generate > Silence. If that works, it is a playback problem and not a recording problem.
Does the “Audio to buffer” setting in Audacity’s Recording Preferences make any difference?
Gale