Butterfly monitoring.
Since 2013, the ACER entity has been monitoring butterflies in Turó de Montcada, following the CBMS (Catalan Butterfly Monitoring Scheme) method. Butterflies are a good indicator group since they are very sensitive to their environment and react quickly with changes in abundance when environmental conditions change.
Orchid census and monitoring.
Every year during the month of March, the orchid count is carried out mainly in the sector where there are Mediterranean meadows rich in annuals, basophiles (Thero-Brachypodietalia), since this is where most of the orchids present in Turó de Montcada have been detected.
Bird monitoring.
Given the diversity of habitats present on the Hill, which ranges from open spaces with Mediterranean meadows to forest areas represented by pine and holm oak forests, as well as scrub areas and rocky outcrops generated by extractive activity, the hill has an interesting diversity of birdlife.
The presence of birds of prey, both diurnal and nocturnal, stands out, especially in the rocky outcrops present on the old exploitation fronts, as well as numerous species that feed in the open spaces generated by the restoration as an agroforestry mosaic, in the sector of the old limestone rock extractive activity.
Monitoring of amphibians and other species of temporary Mediterranean aquatic environments.
Several water points have been set up on the Montcada hill, one of them permanent, in the Mitja Costa spring sector, and another temporary in the restored sector of the old limestone rock extraction activity.
Linked to these environments, several species have been detected, especially the running toad (Epidalea calamita), and odonates of various species, which use the set up water points as a place to reproduce.
Bat monitoring
During the first half of the 20th century, the Montcada hill was a place of concentration for several species of bats. Its location, in the coastal sector, favored the wintering of cave bats in the galleries generated by the extractive and industrial activity of the cement factory, which began in 1917.
When the use of these galleries was abandoned, the tranquility would have favored a greater presence of bats, were it not for the frequent vandalism of the enclosures that prevent people from accessing their interior.
As a result of the excessive frequentation of some galleries, and the closure of some others to prevent the passage of people and the consequent possible accidents, the presence of cave bats on the hill has decreased considerably.
Mammal Tracking
All species observed directly are recorded, as well as those detected indirectly through their tracks and droppings.
