BIOPATH 6 Gunung Lambak Biodiversity

Gunung Lambak, a twin-peaked mountain southeast of Kluang town, stands at 510 meters and encompasses approximately 11 km² of lowland and hill dipterocarp rainforest (300m ASL onwards). It’s accessibility and recreational facilities make it a popular destination, featuring two trailheads—the right being more challenging. However, recent development projects have encroached upon its primary rainforest, causing the lowland dipterocarp forest to retreat to elevations above 70 meters. This encroachment threatens the mountain’s rich biodiversity and disrupts the ecological balance, as lowland dipterocarp forests are vital habitats for numerous species and play a crucial role in carbon sequestration. Protecting Gunung Lambak’s rainforest is essential to preserve its ecological integrity and the environmental benefits it provides.

A hike up and down the main peak typically requires up to 2 hours for casual hikers. For more adventurous and avid hikers conquering the second peak would take up to 3 hours. The best time to hike up the mountain is around 7am whic

h the sun had just risen to enjoy the nature around and do some wildlife spotting.

You will start the hike at the right entrance (The east side of the foothill), where you can conveniently start your adventure. The trail comprises a combination of concrete road and jungle trek. As you make your way up Gunung Lambak, you will encounter a clear pathway with steps and railings. The trail can be steep sometimes, and you will navigate through soil and tree roots as your stepping ground. There are concrete stairs that lead you to the next level. As you hike up Gunung Lambak, you can immerse yourself in the surrounding natural beauty, enjoy the fresh air, and marvel at the lush greenery of the jungle. The summit offers panoramic views.

I started my hike at 7:30 a.m. bringing my bag pack with camera gear, 2 litres of water, power banks, raincoat, mosquito repellent (a must have!), and towel. Not long after I started my hike, I encountered a “bird wave” (a moment where a few different or same species of birds actively foraging around for food.) I stood there for around 20 minutes trying to pinpoint the location where the calls came from (it’s not an easy task especially the vegetation is very dense) and finally manage to have a glimpse of the silhouette of a dark coloured bird paired with its metallic songs. Before I could figure out what species it was, I quickly grabbed my camera and point towards it and managed to capture this stunning photo. It was a Crow-billed Drongo, first individual observed in Gunung Lambak. The Crow-billed Drongo (Dicrurus annectens), found across Malaysia as a winter visitor in forests and edges near streams, glossy black with a characteristically forked tail. Immature speckled with greyish white on lower breast and belly. Main feature to distinguish from other drongos is the thick bill that represents a crow’s bill. songs include a ringing “tsee-goo-gohgee!” Calls include bell-like gurgling notes, harsh chattering, and piercing whistles.

Along with the bell-like calls from the drongo, I heard loud "kik-kik-kik-kik" and I saw a maroon bird latched itself vertically onto a mature dipterocarp tree. Instinctively, I photographed the bird, and it is identified as a Banded Woodpecker. The Banded Woodpecker (Chrysophlegma miniaceum) is native to Malaysia, where it inhabits tropical lowland forests and forest edges. It is easily distinguished by its rufous-brown plumage, olive-coloured mantle, buff-barred underparts, shaggy yellowish nape, and striking red eyes. Known for its sharp, repetitive calls and rhythmic drumming, it primarily feeds on insects and larvae, occasionally supplementing its diet with fruits. Image of Banded Woodpecker

The path I’m hiking is to the Southern Peak (470m asl) it is fairly easy until an elevation of 230m which starts to require climbing. 70m before the Southern Peak, there is a path leading up to the peak, but the gradient is up to 40-50 degrees, it is very steep and only supported by discontinuous rope systems on the left and on the right, causing me to switch sides frequently. It was truly a thrilling experience, before this I was afraid of heights but after this life changing experience I overcame and embraced this fear. Up till 90% on the way up to the peak, the path was blocked by 2 fallen trees as it is the windy season from Northeast Monsoon. Slightly discouraged, I descended to 380m asl and head for the main peak.

There is a 600m trail that connects the South and the Main peak (510m asl), when I reached the peak, I noticed there is a new viewing deck constructed, different from my first hike up almost 3 years ago. I took some photos and rested for a while before continuing my hike down. The hike down was treacherous, 400m of intense rope gripping and strategic placement of my feet one step at a time. While I was focusing intensely on where my feet should land, something caught my attention. A medium sized thrush foraging along the very steep path. Surprised since Gunung Lambak is a relatively a very low mountain and not connected to the central forest spine, so there aren’t any residential thrushes only uncommon reports of Eyebrowed Thrush and Siberian Thrush at the end of the year as they migrate down from the Main Asia Continent during winter season. I quickly settled down and took out my camera. After a few photographs, it is a Siberian Thrush! According to eBird, there is only 30+ observations in Johor and no known photographs, and my picture is the first one for eBird Johor.

Image of Siberian Thrush

Shortly after, I reached the Big Tree resting area, a wide area with several stone benches and a pavilion. After 4 hours and 15 minutes of 7.61km hike, I lied on the bench out of pure tiredness and rested there for some time while hoping a chance to capture any interesting wildlife. Just as I hoped for, a greenish snake slithering its way up the Big Tree, it was a Paradise Tree Snake (Chrysopelea paradisi). Interestingly it can glide up to 10 meters or more of horizontal distance by stretching the body into a flattened strip using its ribs. However, we need to be aware that it is mildly venomous. Image of Paradise Tree Snake

After the rest, I continued descending down via the easier path which is the right path on the junction. It doesn’t require any climbing just bending curves with many protruding rocks and sudden ditches. The path had deteriorated over the months since I have visited the place, probably due to BMX bikers using the path frequently. Be careful while going down this path as far as it looks flat, but the terrain is always uneven with a high risk of twisting your ankle.

Finally, after 7 hours and 9.26km of hike I had finished the hike, but the wildlife just doesn’t stop there! Right outside the public toilet an elusive Giant Black Squirrel was eating a fruit of some sort, 2^nd time encountering it. Lucky shot! Besides, troops of Dusky Leaf monkeys eating leaves at the carpark is just fascinating. Not far away from the carpark out of the compound a yellowish animal on four leg was walking in the middle of the road. At first, I thought it was a domestic dog but to my surprise it was an alpha Southern Pig-tailed Macaque. It was humongous as big as a dog I would say. Just a hint of luck I had captured this amazing photo. Image of Southern Pig-tailed macaque

As a side note, rare wildlife that could be found there included the elusive Rhinoceros Hornbills, Asian Elephants, Raffles Banded Langur and possibly Great Argus. Although I did not personally see these species, but I did hear the calls of Rhinoceros Hornbill and other records of these species were present in the premise of Gunung Lambak. Good luck finding them!

All in all, Gunung Lambak is a tourist friendly nature park where it allows people of all ages to have a casual to enjoy fresh air and wildlife in the surrounding. This particular time of the year, November-March is very windy due to the northeastern monsoon, the trees keep getting blown and the rustling sound from the leaves mask out the singing from the birds. I did my research during this period of time and yield less bird species than expected. Nevertheless, Gunung Lambak is indeed a great place for amateur and avid nature lover.