He's spectating someone doing what they know how to do to try and learn from them without actually like...asking for help. It would only get him so far, but at least he kind of has an idea?

Or he's just an awkward dude with no real social skills staring at a stranger as if trying to glean the mysteries of the universe. Either or.

The stilted compliment makes Bart smile nonetheless. "I'm hoping it will be, at least," he replies, stepping down to where he's cleared away the snow around his work area. "I don't recognize you, are you new to the village?"