tap at (something)
To strike something lightly, swiftly, and repeatedly. You're never going to drive the stake into the ground tapping at it with your hammer like that. I could have sworn I heard someone tapping at the window, but there was no one there when I got up to check.
tap at something
to make one or more light blows on something. Fred tapped at the door, but no one heard him. Who is tapping at my window?