BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox have acquired closer Mark Melancon from the Houston Astros for infielder Jed Lowrie and right-hander Kyle Weiland.

I have had lots of inquiries this fall about the lack of birds at bird feeders. I don’t think Hurricane Irene or other natural phenomena have caused bird populations to plummet. Rather, I think that our resident birds are finding enough food in nature during our mild and mostly snow-free fall so far. I have hopes that we will get a nice influx of Common Redpolls and Pine Siskins this winter throughout our state.