My Mallard duckling escaped yesterday :(

One of our Mallard ducklings (1 month old) escaped yesterday. We were moving them from their outdoor daytime pen to the brooder in the garage for the night. When I opened the gate to the outdoor pen he darted out. I tried to catch him but he totally freaked out and ran. Unfortunately, he discovered our huge natural pond- which I haven't let any of the ducklings go to yet and may not ever. I tried to lure him with lettuce to no avail. He stayed close to the edge of the pond thankfully but I'm still worried. We got another duckling and held it and tried to use that one quacking to draw him in but he just watched me. I lost sight of him at one point and didn't see/hear him again. We looked until dark and then had to go inside.

This morning I put the other ducks in the outdoor pen at 0530, hoping maybe he would come back from hearing them. When I left at 0700 for work he was still MIA. Any advice on how to lure a duck back when they escape? I had originally planned on letting them free range during the day when they're adults but now I'm thinking that's impossible. How can I let them out if I don't know they'll come back to me. Advice?

Oh, no.

I can only imagine that setting food in a temporary pen area with one opening - where you can keep an eye on it - may lure the little one back. Prayers.

Thanks Amiga. I did leave the outdoor pen open all night with food and water but no success. Yesterday after work we went around the pond in the boat and looked at all the shorelines- no sign on him at all .
I think as time continues and we don't find him it's more and more likely he's fallen prey to something . I saw some raccoon tracks by the pond- which I had never seen here before. Not a good sign....

aw I hope he comes back

I hope he comes back. That is tough