Dr. Jeremy J. Kirchman

Curator of Birds and Mammals
jeremy.kirchman@nysed.gov
518-474-1441

I am broadly interested in the evolution and biogeography of birds, but most of my research focuses on populations found on islands. Islands have long been considered “natural laboratories of evolution”, and studying birds on islands teaches us much about speciation, extinction, and adaptation.  I have a special interest in one group of birds, the rails (Rallidae), which are great island colonists, found even on the most remote oceanic islands.  Many rail species have evolved to become totally flightless on islands that lack mammalian predators. Closer to home, I am studying several species of birds that breed in “islands” of coniferous (boreal) forest isolated above 3000 feet of elevation in New York’s mountain ranges. I want to know if these populations of Bicknell’s Thrush, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Spruce Grouse and other boreal forest specialists are genetically isolated and evolving independently of one another. These high-elevation populations may be imperiled as the climate continues to warm.

Publications

2024

B. Dale, J. Cardinal, D. Mazeau, H. Clark 2024, Cultural Resource Site Examination Report: Nesting Osprey Precontact Site, Gill Site, and Cayuga and Seneca Canal Site, PIN 3076.23.121, New York State Route 5 and United States Route 20 over Seneca River, Town of Montezuma, Cayuga County, New York. Cultural Resource Survey Program. Presented at the ,New York State Museum, Albany, New York
B. Dale 2024, Archaeological Monitoring Plan, PIN 0810.38, Meadowbrook State Parkway and Merrick Road Interchange, Village of Freeport, Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York. Cultural Resource Survey Program. Presented at the 05/2024,New York State Museum, Albany, New York
B. Dale, J. Dubuque 2024, Archaeological Monitoring Plan, PIN 3043.65, United States Route 11 Bridge over Oneida River, Towns of Cicero and Hastings, Onondaga and Oswego Counties, New York. Cultural Resource Survey Program. Presented at the 04/2024,New York State Museum, Albany, New York
B. Dale 2024, Phase 1 Archaeological Survey Report, New Sidewalk and Reinterment Area, Lake George Battlefield Park, Village of Lake George, Warren County, New York.. Cultural Resource Survey Program. Presented at the ,New York State Museum, Albany, New York

2022

B. Dale 2022, Addendum Cultural Resources Reconnaissance Survey, PIN 1089.73.101, US Route 4 Over the Hudson River Bridge Replacement Project, Town of Northumberland, Saratoga County, New York. Cultural Resource Survey Program. Presented at the ,New York State Museum, Albany, New York
B. Dale 2022, Archaeological Site Examination of the Wild Parsnip 2 Site (USN 01103.000092), PIN 3314.34.101 Bridge Replacement NYS Route 34 over Erie Barge Canal, Town of Cato, Cayuga County, New York. Cultural Resource Survey Program. Presented at the ,New York State Museum, Albany, New York
A. Gore, B. Dale 2022, Site Examination of the Alvinza Finney Site (USN 09114.000080) and Northumberland Carriage Shop Site (09114.000079), PIN 1089.73.101, United States Route 4 over the Hudson River, Town of Northumberland, Saratoga County, New York. Cultural Resource Survey Program. Presented at the ,New York State Museum, Albany, New York
B. Dale, A. Lynch, R. Dean 2022, Cultural Resource Archaeological Site Examination Investigations, Clizbe Site and DeGraff Site, PIN 2806.38.121, NY 67 Intersection Improvements, Clizbe Road at Widow Susan Road, Town of Amsterdam, Montgomery County, New York. Cultural Resource Survey Program. Presented at the ,New York State Museum, Albany, New York

2021

B. Dale 2021, Archaeological Data Recovery Report, PIN 2134.41.321, NY Routes 5, 8, \& 12, North-South Arterial Reconstruction, The N.A. White and Sons Pottery Site, City of Utica, Oneida County, New York. Cultural Resource Survey Program. Presented at the ,New York State Museum, Albany, New York
B. Dale, J. Dubuque 2021, Cultural Resource Reconnaissance Survey, Addendum, PIN 3314.34.101 NY Route 34 over Barge Canal, Towns of Brutus and Cato, Cayuga County, New York. Cultural Resource Survey Program. Presented at the ,New York State Museum, Albany, New York