Fine-feathered friends have special pal

By Staff
Thomas Tingle
Record Managing Editor
Who would ever think that the birds we see flying around outside would get a Christmas gift from Santa Claus.
As odd as it may seem, a Madison resident says during the Christmas holidays, somebody likes to treat the birds that feast on one of her outside bird feeders with birdseed. The birdseed is left inside a tiny, wrapped package that reads – "To the birdies, from Santa."
Even though Christmas is over and families have put away their Christmas decorations, Janet Amatore said she had a holiday-related "feel good story" she wanted to share with the community about an unusual occurrence that continues to this day at her home around Christmas.
For several years, Amatore said along with the other Christmas decorations she usually puts outside, she has hung a stocking on one of the birdhouses that hangs from a tree in her yard. Several years ago, the Madison County Record came and photographed the stocking and featured it in the paper.
"After the photo was featured, someone started putting a tiny little wrapped package of birdseed in the stocking with the note, "To the birdies, from Santa," Amatore said. "I thought it was such a nice thing to do – an anonymous gesture, a bird's secret admirer."
Amatore said she has no idea who puts the tiny wrapped package of birdseed in the stocking, but after returning from a recent holiday trip, once again, a tiny wrapped package of birdseed was left in the stocking.
"It made my day and it makes my day every time I put birdseed in the feeder," Amatore said. "I told my husband I wish I knew who does this."
Amatore said deep inside, she really doesn't want to know whose been secretly giving the birds a little treat from Santa Claus.
"It's just a sweet act of kindness," Amatore said. "If only there were more like that in this crazy world we live in."