Hi Napamatt,
I'm sorry it's taken me this long to respond to your request, but I've been away from "cyber world" for a few weeks. I hope that you find some of this info helpful.
I doubt that you'll have much trouble sighting an Eastern Bluebird. You are very apt to see them roosting on the power/telephone lines in the Waxhaw area. Many people have Bluebird nesting boxes in their back yards. Bluebirds are now actually fairly common after making a remarkable comeback from the years of DDT (as well as other causes). In the 1970s, I went several years without seeing one. Their population, along with that of many other once common birds, had fallen alarmingly. I literally wept with joy when I finally spotted a pair. I just can't imagine our world without Bluebirds. They are one of my favorites, and sighting one always brightens my day.
Sighting an Eastern Meadowlark might take a little more effort on your part. Although, while being fairly common in the area, as their name implies you will need to find an open field or meadow. Waxhaw is near some rural areas that should provide you with your sighting. The highway to Lancaster, SC passes by many fields and farms.
Some other options:
The Anna Springs Close Greenway (donated by and named for Anna Springs Close) is located at Fort Mill, SC (only a few miles from Waxhaw.) It is a wonderful place to visit and will provide you with an excellent opportunity to sight both of your birds, along with possibly others that you can add to your list.
Mecklenberg County Parks and Recreation have several "greenways" that will provide excellent birding. Information can be obtained by logging onto their wesite:
www.parkandrec.com/greenways
The higway from Lancaster, SC to Monroe, NC passes through some rural areas, as does US HWY 601 (the highway leading south from Monroe, NC.)
Landsford Canal State Park on the Catawba River is a few miles SW of Waxhaw. You might not see an Eastern Meadowlark there, but your chances of spotting a Bald Eagle are close to reasonable.
Latta Plantation Nature Preserve (not to be confused with Latta Park, which is a small neighborhood park in Charlotte and, although quite small, always provides many migrating species) is an excellent birding area. While there (LPNP), I frequently sight the rather shy and energetic Ruby-crowned Kinglet. LPNP has many hiking trails with a variety of habitats. I frequently sight the Kinglet either in or very near the picnic area, and I have seen Meadowlarks and Bluebirds on the hiking trails that follow the powerlines, as they provide a meadow type habitat. A trail brochure/map can be picked up at the nature/welcome center located just inside the entrance gate. LPNP is also the home of The Carolina Raptor Center which rehabilitates injured raptors with the goal of returning them to the wild. They have many live raptors in enclosures that allow close viewing. LPNP is located on Mountain Island Lake a few miles NW of Charlotte. From Waxhaw take I-77 north to the Sunset Rd exit (exit #16, I think), go west on Sunset Rd about 1/2 mile to the first major intersection and turn right onto Beatties Ford RD, go a few miles and turn left onto Sample Rd (this last turn is easy to miss), go 3 or 4 miles to the entrance (watch out for speed humps and horses.)
In conclusion, I hope you enjoy your visit to the Charlotte area and get to sight both of your birds. I would offer to go birding with you (if you wanted company) but I will be traveling the latter part of October and first part of November. If I only had a brief stay in the area, I think that I would probably try the Anna Springs Close Greenway, as it is located very near Waxhaw. If I had a little more time, then I would definitely go out to LPNP, but I would still go to ASCG. I also frequently go to the several of the Mecklenberg greenways.
Best Wishes,
Boomer