Gunung Gagau

Gunung Gagau (1360m a.s.l) located in between 3 states (Kelantan, Pahang and Terengganu) in east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. To topple up this mountain by land, one must hike from Sungai Cicir which is located within Taman Negara Terengganu. The hike usually take 2 to 3 days (up and down) for normal people. For those who going up this mountain for other purpose may take longer route as it got a lot to offer.

A stream flowing to the main river - be warned, the water after 'Kem A' is brick-red colored to the top

The hiking from Taman Negara Terengganu (the most cosy yet most challenging) starting from Sungai Cicir to the mountain top will take you about 15 km to the top. There are two campsite along the way - the first one is Kem A usually known as Kem Sungai Pakchau - at elevation of 315m (asl),  following by Kem Cicir B situated at 690 (a.s.l) - from here, the water turn red all the way to the top and you'll find no fish at all in the stream.

The skyview at Kem Cicir B - I was suprised to saw a Grey-headed fish eagle cross the sky - the obstruction is not so dense, at least 4 hornbill species is a must, I had recorded banded pitta 

The stone marking the boundary of three states at 1180

The top of Gunung Gagau

In terms of birds, the first hike from starting point to Kem A relatively dead, once in a while birds like paradise flycatcher, cream vented bulbul and blue flycatcher would appear crossing the trails, Great Argus call is common and at before noon, in a clear spot, crested serpent eagle and fish-eagle usually appeared.
At Kem A, some highlighted bird are including Garnet pitta, blue wing leafnird and white crowned forktail.
At Kem B, changes in elevation doesn't translated well for bird species, but the clear view to spot a foraging bird will be better. Montane species appear at elevation of 1000m (asl) upward, where species such as mountain warbler, lesser-racquet tail drongo and mountain bulbul appeared.

one of those

Basically the humidity above 800m in this mountain is high and sometime fog can be thick especially during the rain. It is wise to bring along anything essential to keep the gear dry. The best time in the year to visit this area is during April to June, when rain is less likely spoil your trip. Late october and early november might be the best time to visit this site for migrating season period.

foggy - 1023a.m

The East-West Highway

The East-West Highway 16 July 2012

In northern part of Peninsular Malaysia, the road connecting West coast and East coast is famous for the sighting of elephant - Me myself had saw the largest mammals in Malaysian forest three time where all sightings occur at the East-West highway. Crossing two main range in north - The Bintang Hijau range and Titiwangsa range, this highway offer good spot for birding as well.

No large mammals were seen during this round of visit, a slow ride will offer good chance to see something, however, most of time - the roadkill. Like this female palm civet:

Freshly Hit - we move the body before we move hoping that no other vehicle hit the body, it got severe injuries on backbone.

The civet in full body view

This road connecting people of the east and west, but it can be a hell to wildlife live in the forest along the road, this palm civet one of example. I had seen the collection of photo from wildlife conservation that operating in Jeli (East end of the highway) show roadkill involving Tapir, Clouded leopard, leopard cat, wild boar, langurs and slow loris.  They should create a wildlife crossing at several point in this road.

In terms of bird, some spot along this highway are good places to go for Hornbills and jungle dwelling raptors especially in Bukit Palong. My favourite spot located in the half way from Pulau Banding to Pergau  Dam (still not  disturbed by logging activities and has a nice small stream).

Wreathed Hornbill - a couple seen flying over

Chestnut-capped Forktail - usually seen foraging at the small stream

Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher - few couples seen foraging inside bamboo bush next to the stream

Other bird seen during this visit including Black-Crested Bulbul, Scimitar Babbler, Blue Whistling Thrush, Green Broadbill, Blue throated Barbet, Blyth's Hawk Eagle and Maroon woodpecker. With safety is the main priority in doing the assigned job, I only wish I had more time to spend on birding - time limitation as we need to conduct some site maintainance job as well.

The pathway to working site before and after

My partner testing the safety rope that we apply at some steep point at our working site.

Finally some shot of other wildlife we seen along our way:

Wasp humming their nest - This wasp has nasty sting - we don't want to get hurt so we left the plant it inhabit untouched, this wasp as well were not so offensive to us while we done the clearing job.

Reptiles which I suspect as immature skink 

Channa sp., at the pond of near Kuala Rui

Well, It's gonna be long before I had the chance to re-visit this place in the future. However, the new job opportunity awaiting me is a promising one - working in an area where human and their civilization considered rare and will leave my hometown for a while

Cheers