Lerry Dominic - Kinabalu mountain guide who loves birds

A Kinabalu mountain guide who loves birds, from the foothill of Mount Kinabalu, passionate about conserving and sharing the beauty of Nature around Kiau Taburi through bird-watching.

Gumbayong at the beginning of Gumbayong Trail, with a stunning backdrop called Akinabalu. Photo: Atsushi Okuyama

Lerry Dominic @ Gumbayong

Hailed from Kiau Taburi, a quiet village tucked in the shadow of Mount Kinabalu, I have developed a deep interest in Nature since young. Now I wish to share my knowledge of the mountain with more people and hope that they will love Nature as much as I do. Join me on one of my nature experiences with Nature.

Some interesting facts about me, a Kinabalu mountain guide who loves birds:

my village, Kampung Kiau Taburi is about 1000m above sea level, making it a cool place to hang out and raise my baby boy
been a Kinabalu mountain guide since 2005
obtained a nature guide license since 2013
Guiding at Mount Kinabalu’s Kota Belud Trail (left) and demonstrating jungle survival at Gumbayong Trail.
been a freelance birdwatching guide since 2014
participated in the community bird guide training (BGT) course by Rotary Club Kota Kinabalu in 2016-2017
organized the first bird festival for kids in Kiau, with Kiau birdwatching team, supported by Rotary Club Kota Kinabalu.
one of the program leaders of Kadamaian Tourism Association (KaTA), and organized basic birdwatching guide course for budding nature guides from community ecotourism initiatives within the district
Bird-watching in a paddy field below Mount Kinabalu is a special experience: one may find rare montane birds like the tawny-breasted parrotfinch.
been working as a research assistant, especially with bird research of University of Montana in Kinabalu Park, and with tree research of Kyoto University in Deramakot Forest Reserve
part of Kiau Taburi Eco-Tourism Association, and guided frequently to the famous Minitinduk Gorge: the first gateway to Mount Kinabalu
farmed coffee, pineapples, and various vegetables organically in Kiau Taburi and Bundu Tuhan, village of my wife
have my own jungle trail, jungle camp and camping ground, on my family forest just outside Kinabalu Park
hope that our neighbors with forested lands, and all members of Kiau Taburi Eco-Tourism, can join us in preserving our natural heritage, in order to improve our livelihood through the business of eco-tourism

waterfall at Gumbayong Trail — A waterfall like this at the Gumbayong Trail, is commonly found around the forests of Kiau villages.

Gumbayong Trail: a family-conserved jungle trail below Kinabalu

My family has a forest, situated on steep hillside just by the main road heading up to Kinabalu Park. Starting 2016, I have established and opened a trail for my bird-watching friends. Since early 2019, my friend and I began to survey for flora and fauna along this trail to explore for more potential programs that the trail can offer. We also hope that by having a better understanding of the biodiversity and ecology of the forest, we can better manage and protect the area.

You are more than welcome to join me and experience the beauty of Kinabalu, on my trail or in Kinabalu Park. I will be more than happy to share with you what I know about the local flora and fauna, especially on my favorite, birds. Your support of my nature experiences and my organically-grown plants will ultimately support my effort to conserve my family forest!

birds at Gumbayong Trail — Some special birds found along Gumbayong Trail, all endemic to Mount Kinabalu: (from left to right) Whitehead’s broadbill, Whitehead’s trogon, golden-naped barbet

night life at Gumbayong Trail — Some nocturnal life found along Gumbayong Trail: snakes, lizards, frogs, insects

mammals at Gumbayong Trail — Some mammals captured on trail camera (from left to right): yellow-throated marten, long-tailed macaque, and (possibly the common) muntjac or backing dear. Also frequently seen were long-tailed porcupine, masked palm civet, and Malay weasel. Photos: Khoo M.S.

wildlife survey — Deploying trail camera or camera trap at Gumbayong Trail to better understand its animal population, especially rare ones like the Kinabalu ferret-badger, seen but never photographed. Photo: Khoo M.S.