My first whole month in Argentina was full of challenges but still offered goodies. Magellanic woodpecker, tapaculos, canasteros and owls obliged in Patagonia, but a trip to the coastal pampas was the cherry on top.

A montane creek within the yungas cloud forest north of Salta is home to the mega rufous-throated dipper, which provided great views. Torrent ducks, Andean condors and endemic brushfinches also obliged.