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

A. Gore, V. Schmitt 2024, Architectural Survey of PIN 5011.37.121, Pavement Project, New York State Route 93, Village of Youngstown, Niagara County, New York.. Cultural Resource Survey Program. Presented at the 10/2024,New York State Museum, Albany, New York
A. Gore, V. Schmitt 2024, Architectural Survey of PIN 5110.16.101, ADA/Pedestrian Improvement Project, New York State Route 474, BIN 1029820 to Clymer Hill/Caflisch Roads, Town of Clymer, Chautauqua County, New York. Cultural Resource Survey Program. Presented at the ,New York State Museum, Albany, New York
A. Gore, V. Schmitt 2024, Architectural Survey of PIN 5181.10.101 Safety Project, New York State Route 270 from North French Road to Tonawanda Creek Road, Town of Amherst, Erie County, New York. Cultural Resource Survey Program. Presented at the 05/2024,New York State Museum, Albany, New York
A. Gore, V. Schmitt 2024, Structure Documentation: North Salem Stone Box Culvert, Small Culvert Replacement (Future C871009), New York State Route 116 over Tributary of Titicus River, Town of North Salem, Westchester County, New York. Cultural Resource Survey Program. Presented at the ,New York State Museum, Albany, New York

2023

V. Schmitt 2023, Architectural Survey of PIN 1810.91.121 Culvert C150116 Repair/Replacement, US Route 4, Town of Saratoga, Saratoga County, New York. Cultural Resource Survey Program. Presented at the 08/2023,New York State Museum, Albany, New York
V. Schmitt 2023, Architectural Survey of PIN 2807.02.101, Culvert Repair/Replace Project 20: CINs 260194 \& 260195, New York State Route 26, Town of Lee, Oneida County, New York. Cultural Resource Survey Program. Presented at the ,New York State Museum, Albany, New York
V. Schmitt 2023, Historic American Engineering Record, Route 11 Bridge over the Oneida River. Cultural Resource Survey Program. Presented at the ,New York State Museum, Albany, New York

2022

V. Schmitt 2022, Cultural Resource Architectural Survey, PIN 2236.28.121, NY Route 29 over Caroga Creek Bridge Replacement, Town of Ephrata, Fulton County, New York. Cultural Resource Survey Program. Presented at the ,New York State Museum, Albany, New York
V. Schmitt 2022, Cultural Resource Architectural Survey, PIN 1124.42.121, New York State Route 23A over Kaaterskill Creek, Town of Catskill, Greene County, New York. Cultural Resource Survey Program. Presented at the ,New York State Museum, Albany, New York
V. Schmitt 2022, Cultural Resource Architectural Survey, PIN 1124.42.121, New York State Route 23A over Kaaterskill Creek, Town of Catskill, Greene County, New York. Cultural Resource Survey Program. Presented at the ,New York State Museum, Albany, New York